Euro-Africa

division

Adult SAbbAth School bible Study Guide

heAlth And heAlinG

Seventh-day

Adventist Church

April

May

June 2010

P A C I F I C

A R C T I C O C E A N

O C E A N

Great Lakes

Great

Slave L.

Great

Bear L.

L. Winnipeg

L. Victoria

L. Chad

L. Malawi

L. Balkhash

L. Baykal

Chukchi Sea

Beaufort Sea

Caribbean Sea

Hudson Bay

Gulf of Alaska

Baffin Bay

Gulf of

Mexico

Greenland Sea

North

Atlantic

Black Sea

Aral Sea

Bay

Bengal

South

China

Sea

Sea of

Japan

East

China

Sea

Yellow

Sea

Sea of

Okhotsk

Bering Sea

Tasman Sea

Great Australian

Bight

Leptev Sea

Canberra

Dhaka

La Paz

Sucre

Brasilia

Santiago

Bogota

Havana

Quito

Port Stanley

Paris

Hong Kong

Singapore

Jakarta

Rome

Phnom Penh

Vientiane

Tripoli

Antananarivo

Kuala Lumpur

Mexico City

Ulaanbaatar

Rangoon

Windhoek

Wellington

Pyongyang

Manila

Bucharest

Cape Town

Seoul

Madrid

Bangkok

Tunis

Ankara

Washington D. C.

Montevideo

Caracas

Georgetown

Paramaribo

Harare

Sofia

Prague

Bratislava

Vienna

Berlin

Brussels

Algiers

Casablanca

Lisbon

Bern

R U S S I A

AUSTRIA

ITALY

SPAIN

GERMANY

FRANCE

PORTUGAL

ROMANIA

BULGARIA

TURKEY

CZECH

SLOVAKIA

BELGIUM

LUX.

SWITZ.

U. S. A.

CANADA

MEXICO

THE BAHAMAS

CUBA

PANAMA

EL SALVADOR

GUATEMALA

BELIZE

HONDURAS

NICARAGUA

COSTA RICA

JAMAICA

HAITI

DOM. REP.

ARGENTINA

BOLIVIA

COLOMBIA

VENEZUELA

PERU

BRAZIL

FRENCH GUIANA

SURINAME

GUYANA

CHILE

ECUADOR

PARAGUAY

URUGUAY

NAMIBIA

LIBYA

SOUTH AFRICA

ALGERIA

MADAGASCAR

MOZAMBIQUE

BOTSWANA

TUNISIA

MOROCCO

SWAZILAND

LESOTHO

ZIMBABWE

WESTERN

SAHARA

C H I N A

MYANMAR

THAILAND

KAMPUCHEA

BHUTAN

VIETNAM

LAOS

BANGLADESH

MALAYSIA

PAPUA

NEW GUINEA

BRUNEI

PHILIPPINES

TAIWAN

I N D O N E S I A

JAPAN

MONGOLIA

SOUTH KOREA

NORTH KOREA

AUSTRALIA

NEW ZEALAND

NEW CALEDONIA

FIJI

Mediterranean Sea

*EAQ100401*

Where legally possible, offerings will go to these projects; otherwise special arrangement will be made with the

General Conference for distribution of funds based on the laws of the countries where these offerings are collected.

Ad u l t

SA b b A t h Sc h o o l

bi b l e St u d y Gu i d e

April

May

June 2010

Unions Churches Members Population

Austrian Union of Churches 49 3,871 8,352,000

Bulgarian Union of Churches 118 7,598 7,621,000

Czecho-Slovakian Union Conference 186 9,861 15,833,000

Franco-Belgian Union Conference 138 14,626 73,263,000

Italian Union of Churches 107 8,675 60,309,000

North German Union Conference 357 20,301 47,905,000

Portuguese Union of Churches 97 9,332 10,621,000

Romanian Union Conference 1,085 67,393 21,498,000

South German Union Conference 225 15,371 34,265,000

Spanish Union of Churches 104 14,625 46,615,000

Swiss Union Conference 49 4,311 7,669,000

Trans-Mediterranean Territories 7 266 262,704,000

Totals (as of December 30, 2008) 2,522 176,230 596,655,000

Health

and

Healing

Mission Projects

Our Thirteenth Sabbath Offering this quarter will help the Euro-

Africa Division with these projects:

l Church for existing multi-ethnic groups in Brussels, Belgium

l Church for Romani congregation in Bulgaria

l Expand and modernize a mission school on the island of

Madeira, Portugal.

For more information, visit www.adventistmission.org

Contents

1 Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow!—March 27–April 2 — 6

2 The Power of Choice—April 3–9 —————————————— 14

3 Celebrating Spiritual and Physical Fitness—April 10–16 ——— 22

4 The Water of Life—April 17–23 —————————————— 30

5 The Environment—April 24–30 —————————————— 38

6 Faith and Healing—May 1–7 ———————————————— 46

7 Rest and Restoration—May 8–14 ————————————— 56

8 The Atmosphere of Praise—May 15–21 ——————————— 64

9 Temperance—May 22–28 ————————————————— 72

10 Integrity: Wholeness and Holiness—May 29–June 4 ————— 80

11 Optimism: Happiness and Healing—June 5–11 ——————— 88

12 Nutrition in the Bible—June 12–18 ————————————— 96

13 Social Support: The Tie That Binds—June 19–25 ————— 104

Editorial Assistant

Sharon Thomas-Crews

Pacific Press

Coordinator

Paul A. Hey

Art Director and Illustrator

Lars Justinen

Concept Design

Dever Designs

Editorial Office 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904

Come visit us at our Web site: http://www.absg.adventist.org

Principal Contributor

The General Conference

Health and Temperance

Ministries Department

Editor

Clifford R. Goldstein

Associate Editor

Soraya Homayouni

Publication Manager

Lea Alexander Greve

The Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide is prepared by the Office of the Adult

Bible Study Guide of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The

preparation of the guides is under the general direction of the Sabbath School

Publications Board, a subcommittee of the General Conference Administrative

Committee (ADCOM), publisher of the Bible study guides. The published guide

reflects the input of worldwide evaluation committees and the approval of the

Sabbath School Publications Board and thus does not solely or necessarily repre-

sent the intent of the author(s).

f thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do

that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and

keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have

brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee” (Exod. 15:26).

The promise of immunity from Egypt’s diseases was given to the children of Israel

soon after they left their captivity. Yet, this promise wasn’t based simply on supernatural

intervention; it was based also, maybe even especially, on the natural laws of health. If

they followed what the Lord commanded them to do in the area of health and sani-

tation, as opposed to what their captors did (for instance, while the Egyptians used

human excrement for medicinal purposes, the Hebrews were to bury theirs outside the

camp), they would be spared the ailments that afflicted the Egyptians.

Even here, then, we can see God’s concern for not just the spiritual well-being of

His people but for their physical well-being, their health, as well. This idea also is

found in the Hebrew word shalom, commonly translated as “peace.” Yet, the word

conveys a deeper sense, that of a completeness, of a wholeness and a fullness that

involves the total person, physical health included. The first use of the word shalom

in the Old Testament appears when Jacob, inquiring about Laban, the grandson

of Abraham’s brother, asks, “And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said,

He is well” (Gen. 29:6). In both instances, the word translated “well” comes from

shalom.

“The Redemption of Our Bodies”

Of course, it makes perfect sense that God would care about our physical health.

After all, He created us as physical beings. Before sin, before the Fall, we were already

in the flesh. We were made as fleshly beings. Our fall wasn’t to the flesh; it was a fall

in the flesh. Our bodies aren’t evil, or bad, the prison houses for the soul or the like

(as some religions have taught). Our bodies are wonderful gifts from a loving God

who created us in His image and who wants us to enjoy our physical existence, at

least as much as possible in this fallen world.

Thus, this quarter we are going to look at what’s often

been a neglected aspect of the wonderful truths God has

given us as a movement, and that is the health message.

The Lord revealed these principles to us for the same

reason He died for us, because He loves us and wants

what’s in our best interest.

Of course, we all are mortal, we all face sickness, and,

unless Christ comes in our lifetime, we all die. Nothing

is going to change that now, and certainly not health-

ful living. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do our

best to take care of ourselves; that doesn’t mean we

aren’t under a divine obligation to take care of our body

temples. As Paul expressed it, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple

of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your

own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your

spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:19, 20, NKJV).

This quarter’s lesson on healthful living, written by the General Conference

Health Department in Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.A., was produced with the desire

to help us enjoy all the shalom we possibly can now, until that final day in which we

receive, once and forever, “the redemption of our bodies” (Rom. 8:23, NIV).

Contributors from the Health and Temperance Ministries Department of the General

Conference of Seventh-day Adventists were Allan Handysides, Kathleen Kuntaraf, Peter

Landless, Stoy Proctor, and Thomas Zirkle.

Our bodies are won-

derful gifts from a

loving God who cre-

ated us in His image

and who wants us

to enjoy our physical

existence, at least as

much as possible in

this fallen world.

Where faith, ideas and life come together

www.intersection.adventist.org

Intersection is a half-hour, weekly television pro-

gram broadcast internationally by the Hope Chan-

nel. Find local listings at

www.hopechannel.tv

A production of the Ofﬁce of the President and the

Communication Department of the Seventh-day Adventist World Church.

The Roma, or Gypsy people, are a tight-knit ethnic group living in

communities throughout Europe and elsewhere. And they are opening up to

the gospel. Fifteen years ago only a handful of Roma Adventists lived in one

city in Bugaria. Following evangelistic meetings, the church grew rapidly.

Word spread through family groups, and today 1,000 Roma in this city are

Seventh-day Adventists. So many visitors attend some Sabbath services that

the members are asked to stay away to make room for guests.

In the town of Montana in northwestern Bulgaria, another Roma

congregation has organized following evangelistic meetings. The 30 members

and at least that many visitors meet in a rundown café. The lay pastor visits

the people in their homes to build trust. He leads a study group for youth,

none of whom are yet members.

This congregation needs a decent place to worship, a place to bring

their friends to Jesus. I want to help them learn that Jesus died for them.

I’m glad that part of this quarter’s Thirteenth Sabbath Offering will provide

a church for this growing Roma congregation. For me it’s personal.

L e s s o n

*March 27–April 2

Praise God From Whom All

Blessings Flow!

sa b b a t h af t e r n o o n

Read for This Week’s Study:

Matt. 22:37, 38; Rom.

12:1; Eph. 2:8, 9; 5:2; Col. 3:13; 2 Tim. 1:9; 1 John 4:10.

Memory Text:

“Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within

me, bless His holy name!” (Psalm 103:1, NKJV).

s the Hubble telescope has probed ever deeper into the uni-

verse, the mysteries of creation have become ever grander. If

such limitlessness is incomprehensible to our finite minds, how

much more so must be its Creator, who—by necessity—must be more

complex than what He has created. If we cannot understand the uni-

verse itself, how could we fully comprehend the One who made it?

Zophar the Naamathite asks Job, “ ‘Can you search out the deep things of

God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?’ ” (Job 11:7, NKJV).

The answer, of course, is that he can’t.

As if all this were not enough, this same God who created the universe

is the One who in the person of Jesus bore not only our humanity but

our sins, as well. The God who created the universe faced in Himself the

punishment for our iniquities, in order that we could have eternal life.

With a truth like this ever before us, how could we not love this

God and offer Him our very best praise and worship?

The Week at a Glance:

An appreciation of the love, the

power, and the majesty of our God should lead us to an attitude

of praise, even in the worst of situations.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, April 3.

Su n d a y

March 28

Our God of Love

By creating humanity with a free moral will, that is, by giving humans

the capacity to choose to obey or disobey Him, God also had made pro-

vision for the potential consequences should humanity make the wrong

choice with the freedom given it. That provision is what’s known as the

gospel, the good news of what Jesus has done for us in order to restore us

to the eternal life that we originally were created to have.

Read

2 Timothy 1:9. Dwell on the implications of the idea that God

had prepared the plan of salvation even before the world began.

What does it tell us about God’s unconditional love for us that He

would do this even before we existed? How does this text help us

understand what grace is all about?

____________________________________________________________________

God’s great love and grace were in operation for us even before our

existence. The gospel was, in a sense, a warranty on our souls. God

knew what was going to happen, and in His love and wisdom, He had

the plan of salvation in place to meet the crisis when it arrived. And,

of course, at the center of that plan was the sacrificial death of Jesus

in our stead. The only way we could be redeemed from our fallen

condition was through the Cross, the place where God Himself, in

our humanity, bore the punishment for our sins. Nothing else would

have sufficed; nothing else could have. No matter how steep the price,

Jesus was willing to pay it in our behalf.

How

then are we to respond in the face of such love for us? Eph. 4:32,

5:2, Phil. 2:5–8, Col. 3:13. What is the basic message that all these

texts have in common?

____________________________________________________________________

To love unconditionally is an alien concept to the human heart.

There is almost always an ulterior motive, one usually tainted with

self. Yet, at the same time, if we had to wait until our motives were

absolutely pure, we might not get anything done, would we? How

much time should you spend, then, dwelling on the character of

Christ? How could that help you learn to act more and more out of

the kind of unconditional love that has been shown to us in Jesus?

Mo n d a y

March 29

God of Grace

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not

of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should

boast” (Eph. 2:8, 9, NKJV). Summarize in your own words the

meaning of this text. Ask yourself this question too: Why must

salvation be by faith and not by works? Why can works not save

us? See Gal. 3:21.

____________________________________________________________________

An epileptic youth fell, convulsing, onto the New York City

subway tracks as an oncoming train entered the station. Without

hesitation, a stranger flung himself on top of the writhing youngster.

Holding the boy flat, the man lay until the train screeched to a halt

above him. Then he called out, “We are OK!” His risky act of self-

denial was the only thing that saved the boy from certain death. What

a powerful illustration of grace, of unmerited favor, of what Jesus has

accomplished for us. Imagine how grateful that boy must have been

to that man. How much more so should we, then, be grateful to Jesus

for what He has done in our behalf?

The crucial question for all of us is, How do we manifest that

gratitude in our lives? It’s one thing to talk about how grateful we are

for Jesus or how much we love God because of what Jesus has done.

But the real issue for us, the true test of the reality of our faith, is our

works—works that arise not from trying to earn salvation (we can’t)

but from a heart filled with gratitude and praise for what we have been

given and promised in Jesus.

Sometimes, though, it’s not easy for us to appreciate fully what

Christ has done for us. In a youth class where the plan of salvation

was being explained, a boy raised his hand and said, “I have not

done anything to deserve dying.” Well, the fact of the matter is we

all deserve death. Or, perhaps, one could phrase this question another

way. What have we done that we deserve living? What have we done

that we deserve eternal life? What is it about us that God would go

through so much to save us?

Dwell on the paragraph above. What answer do you have to

those questions? After all, what have any of us done to deserve

eternal life? Who among us is so worthy that it’s understand-

able why Jesus would die for us? How does your answer help

you better understand just how grateful we should be for sal-

vation? More important, how well do your works reveal that

gratitude?

Tu e s d a y

March 30

A Love Relationship

When

asked what was the most important of all commandments,

Jesus responded, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy

heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first

and great commandment” (Matt. 22:37, 38). What does that text

mean? How are we to do what Jesus commands here?

Think of the incredible implications of these words. According to

Jesus, the most important of all commandments isn’t to keep the Sabbath,

nor is it any of the prohibitions against killing, stealing, and adultery. On

the contrary, the most important of all the commandments deals with

what is in our hearts, in our souls; it deals with what is inside of us and

not with our outward actions, however important they might be.

Indeed, if the most important commandment deals with our love to

God, then the foundation of all the commandments deals with a rela-

tionship. After all, what is love if not a relationship—one in which we

love God above and beyond everyone and everything else?

Why

would love for God be the most important of all relationships?

Why would that be so fundamental? What spiritual dangers arise

if we love something, anything, more than God?

____________________________________________________________________

God, in fact, had purposed from the start that humanity would be

capable of enjoying a special relationship with Him. It was His purpose

to provide a higher plane of experience for humans than for the rest of the

creatures He had made on earth. This truth is reflected in Genesis 1:26:

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let

them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air,

and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing

that creepeth upon the earth.” None of the other creatures was made in

His image; none of the other creatures was given the responsibility given

to humanity. Hence, humans are not just highly developed apes; there’s

a vast qualitative gap between humanity and the rest of God’s creation

on earth. We are special, and part of that specialness is revealed in the

love relationship that we are called to have with God, something that the

animals and plants are not capable of experiencing.

What is your own experience in loving God? How do you know

that you love God? Write out a paragraph expressing what that

means and how that love has changed your life. Bring it to class

on Sabbath.

_____________________________________________________

We d n e s d a y

March 31

Praising the Lord

“Be joyful in God. Christ is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

Look toward the light. Accustom yourselves to speak the praise of God.

Make others happy. This is your first work. It will strengthen the best

traits of character. Throw the windows of the soul wide open heaven-

ward, and let the sunshine of Christ’s righteousness in. Morning, noon,

and night your hearts may be filled with the bright rays of heaven’s

light.”—Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, April 7, 1904. How can you

take these words and make them a reality in your own life?

No question, as Christians we have much to praise God for; that is,

whatever our struggles, whatever our fears, whatever our pains, what-

ever our losses and disappointments, we all have much to be thank-

ful to God for, do we not? After all, in the end, no matter what our

immediate situation is, we still have the hope and promise of eternal

life in Jesus, the hope and promise that “there shall be no more death,

neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for

the former things are passed away” (Rev. 21:4). That alone, if nothing

else, gives us reasons to praise.

Whatever

your struggles right now, what are things that you have

to praise God for? Write down a list of these things and why you

are thankful to God for them.

____________________________________________________________________

Before we can praise in sincerity, we need to personally have expe-

rienced the goodness of the Lord. We need to know for ourselves the

reality of God and the reality of God’s love for us as individuals. This

is something the Lord will do for anyone and everyone who is open

to His leading. It is only our stubborn hearts and carnal natures that

keep us from knowing for ourselves the goodness and love of God.

And once we come to know that goodness and that love, how could

we help but praise the Lord?

How can you learn to live more and more in an attitude of

praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, despite whatever trials

and sufferings you face?

_____________________________________________________

Th u r s d a y

April 1

A “Reasonable Service”

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that

ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto

God, which is your reasonable service” (Rom. 12:1).

So far, we have seen that God is a God of love and grace, and He

desires to have a special relationship with us, one that none of the

other creatures here on earth can enjoy. At the center of that relation-

ship stand the Cross and the plan of salvation, because—of all the rea-

sons we have to love God—the Cross remains by far the best one.

How

does 1 John 4:10—“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but

that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our

sins”—capture the essence of what it means to love God?

____________________________________________________________________

When you love someone, words of praise and appreciation are

natural. When we, as Christians, give our hearts to the Lord, we get

the gift of the Holy Spirit, and He fills the Christian with a deep sense

of gratitude or appreciation. From such appreciation there will arise a

heart filled with praise and adoration of God.

Yet, there is an important point that many folk forget. True praise

for God involves the whole being. That is, we praise God not only on

spiritual, emotional, and mental levels but with our physical bodies

too. Application of healthful habits in life gives us clarity of mind,

the balance to the whole.

Scientists have uncovered fascinating physical changes in the brain

that follow habitual practices. For instance, drugs induce changes in

the brain that become firmly entrenched and make for powerful addic-

tions. Degeneration in our blood vessels likewise results in impaired

brain functioning. A disease like Alzheimer’s is a result of destruc-

tion of brain cells. Clearly, we are dependent on our physical state to

enjoy clear mental, emotional, and spiritual relationships. Many foods

and drinks, included as a very occasional item in the diet, will have

no measurable effect. But they become problems when incorporated

as habitual practices. We give our God praise from the whole of our

being by offering our whole life as a living sacrifice.

Dwell more on the idea of praising God with our bodies. What

might that mean? How might lifestyle choices be a means of

praising God? At the same time, how might wrong lifestyle

choices be a way of denying God?

fr i d a y

April 2

Further Study:

Read Ellen G. White, “The Anointing of

David,” pp. 637–642, in Patriarchs and Prophets.

“David, in the beauty and vigor of his young manhood, was prepar-

ing to take a high position with the noblest of the earth. His talents, as

precious gifts from God, were employed to extol the glory of the divine

Giver. His opportunities of contemplation and meditation served to

enrich him with that wisdom and piety that made him beloved of God and

angels. As he contemplated the perfections of his Creator, clearer concep-

tions of God opened before his soul. Obscure themes were illuminated,

difficulties were made plain, perplexities were harmonized, and each ray

of new light called forth fresh bursts of rapture, and sweeter anthems of

devotion, to the glory of God and the Redeemer. The love that moved

him, the sorrows that beset him, the triumphs that attended him, were all

themes for his active thought; and as he beheld the love of God in all the

providences of his life, his heart throbbed with more fervent adoration

and gratitude, his voice rang out in a richer melody, his harp was swept

with more exultant joy; and the shepherd boy proceeded from strength to

strength, from knowledge to knowledge; for the Spirit of the Lord was

upon him.”—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 642.

Discussion Questions:

l In class, discuss your answer to the question of what it means

to love God. How do we as fallen beings love God? What does

that mean? How does love for God differ from love for other

people or other things, whatever they are?

l Why is praise to God so important to us? How do praise and

worship draw us closer to God? How do praise and worship

help us to better know and love God? Also, why is praise to God

especially important during times of crises? After all, anyone can

praise God in good times, right? What does it take to be able to

praise Him during bad ones?

l As we have been stressing all week, salvation is by faith alone.

None of us is good enough to deserve salvation; more so, none of

us ever could be made good enough to deserve it either. Salvation

has to be a gift, a gift from a loving and benevolent God to a

fallen race of beings who, at their core, are corrupted by sin and

who in and of themselves have nothing to offer the Lord. And

yet, at the same time, we have been called, over and over again in

the Bible, to obey God. In other words, though we are not saved

by works, works are a part of what it means to be saved and to

have salvation. How do we understand the relationship between

faith and works? How can we learn to praise God and reveal our

love to Him through our works, while at the same time not get

caught in the trap of believing that these works save us?

tor

i n s i d e

Emergency Room Evangelism

by Fá b i o d a si l v a

I fell, landing hard on my shoulder. Searing pain shot through me when

I tried to move.

My friends helped me up and took me to the hospital emergency room.

Gurneys lined the wall filled with patients far more seriously injured than

I was. One man had been shot, another stabbed, and another was seriously

ill.

I walked around while waiting to be seen, praying silently for those

lying around me. Then I saw I Samuel, a man I had met once. He was

awaiting treatment too. I talked to him about Jesus and offered him Bible

studies. He agreed to the studies, but nurses moved him before I could get

his address.

I was admitted to the hospital. As I lay in my bed, I prayed for those I

had met in the emergency room. I realized that God was with me, even

when I hadn’t felt His presence.

When I was released from the hospital, I went to the government office

to apply for disability until I could work again. There I met Samuel and

reminded him about the Bible studies. We decided to meet every after-

noon to study together.

When I arrived at Samuel’s home the next day, his wife met us. She had

invited another woman to the study, and this woman invited another friend

who invited her mother. The mother became so excited about the Bible

studies that she called some of her friends and asked me to start another

study with them. When I arrived at this woman’s house I found seven

people ready to study the Bible.

Within a few days 12 people were studying the Bible from one invita-

tion. When the studies ended, all 12 asked to be baptized as the result of

a chance meeting in the emergency room!

We needed a place to meet and learned that the conference had pur-

chased a house nearby to be used to plant a church. It already had been

remodeled and even had a baptistry! The new believers with whom I had

studied were the first ones to be baptized in this new church. And their

passion for sharing Christ spread to family and friends. Today we have 30

baptized members and 10 visitors in an area of Belém, Brazil, that before

this had been difficult to reach.

This church may have begun as an “accident,” but your purposeful mis-

sion offerings helped make it happen. Thank you for your support.

Fá b i o d a si l v a is a builder in Belém, Brazil.

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Missions.

Web site:www.adventistmission.org

L e s s o n

*April 3–9

The Power of Choice

sa b b a t h af t e r n o o n

Read for This Week’s Study:

Gen. 2:16, 17; 3:1–13;

Deut. 30:10–19; Ps. 119:11; Col. 3:2; Heb. 11:8–10.

Memory Text:

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would

not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the

wine which he drank” (Daniel 1:8).

ackie and Carol (not their real names) were sisters, separated by

two years, who grew up together in a loving home. By the time

she reached adolescence, Jackie was applying herself diligently

to her studies. She did well and, after graduating from high school,

went to university to study business. Today, she has a position with an

investment company, is married, and lives in her own home.

Carol chose to party and enjoy herself. She dropped out of high

school and began to experiment with tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs.

Today she is a single mother, living on government assistance, in

rehabilitation for her drug dependency, and remains slightly jealous—

though grudgingly proud—of her sister’s success.

Both girls had the same opportunities, chances, and set of choices.

Each is living with the consequences of those choices.

Choices—we all have them, we all have to make them, and we all

have to live with the consequences of the ones we make.

Hence, the important question for us all is, What will those choices

be, and how can we know how to make the right ones? This week we

will look a little more at the power of choice.

The Week at a Glance:

God gave humans the power of

choice. With those choices, however, come consequences.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, April 10.

Su n d a y

April 4

The Reality of Freedom

We often hear people talk about freedom. Political movements usu-

ally, in one way or another, make great proclamations about freedom.

One state in the United States boasts the motto “Live free or die.”

Freedom is, in fact, a very complicated subject. The word means differ-

ent things to different people in different contexts. It’s not always easy to

pin down exactly what people mean when they talk about “freedom.”

One thing, though, is certain: when God created humans, He made

them moral beings, and in order for humans to be truly moral, they had

to have moral freedom. In other words, they had to have the capacity

to choose wrongly, if they wanted to. If not—if they didn’t have that

option—they really couldn’t be free.

Read

Genesis 2:16, 17. What is implied in God’s words to Adam?

How is Adam’s moral freedom revealed in these texts?

____________________________________________________________________

In Genesis 3:1–6, we see the moral freedom given to both Adam

and Eve. Why would God have warned them against eating of the tree

unless they had been given the power of choice? Hence, we see perfect

beings in a perfect environment allowed moral freedom. At the very

foundation of human existence, the reality of our freedom has been

made readily apparent.

Read

Genesis 3:1–6. What are the places where Adam and Eve both

exercised free will? How could they at each of these stages have made

better choices? What can we learn from these texts about the kind

of choices we make?

____________________________________________________________________

Human moral freedom must be something very important in the

eyes of God. After all, look at what our abuse of that freedom cost

Him. So sacred, so fundamental, is this gift that, rather than deny it

to us, God would go to the cross instead of leaving us to our demise

because of how we misused this gift.

What basic mistake did both Adam and Eve make? How can we,

with the knowledge of their mistakes, avoid doing similar things in

our own context? In what ways do we face similar temptations?

Mo n d a y

April 5

The Consequences: Guilt and Fear

Read

Genesis 3:7–13 and answer the following questions:

1. If you could define, in one word, what the couple experienced,

what would that word be, and why? How do we, in our own experi-

ence today, sometimes face the same thing?

____________________________________________________________________

2. What other emotion did they experience that they had not known

before? Again, in what ways do we experience the same thing, and why?

____________________________________________________________________

When the Watergate scandal in the United States was exposed by the

press in the early 1970s, it was revealed that much of the White House

activity focused on cover-up operations. When President Richard Nixon

finally resigned, it was not because he either had authorized the break-in

to the Democratic Party’s premises or had a part in planning the break-in;

instead, he was guilty of trying to cover up what others had done.

In a sense, what we see in these verses is Adam and Eve attempting

a cover-up job, trying to hide from God what they had done or at least

trying to shift the blame from themselves.

Of course, most folk who know the Lord know that it’s impossible

to hide anything from Him. When the hairs of our heads are numbered

(Matt. 10:30), we can’t fool Him about our actions. But we can fool

ourselves, can’t we? How easily we find ways to try to shift the blame on

others. If only my boss hadn’t done this, then I wouldn’t have done that.

If only my spouse hadn’t done this, then I wouldn’t have done that. If only

God had taken away the temptation when I prayed, then I wouldn’t have

fallen. If only this, if only that . . .

Sure, we sometimes face powerful temptations, temptations that pull

at the very fabric of our being. The situation is worse, too, because we

already come with corrupted and fallen natures, which makes it that much

easier for us to succumb when tempted and tried. As bad as sin is, as

bad as the consequences often are, we make it worse when we refuse to

accept responsibility. After all, how can we overcome sin if, in our own

minds, we don’t blame ourselves for it?

How open are you to accepting responsibility for your wrong

choices? Or do you always find ways to blame others for them?

If so, when are you going to stop?

_____________________________________________________

Tu e s d a y

April 6

Choices: Good and Bad

However much human nature changed after the fall of Adam and Eve,

as humans we still have the power of choice. We still have free will. What

we do with that free will is, really, entirely up to us. We can surrender to

God and obey Him, or we can choose to go our own sinful way.

Read

Hebrews 11:8–10. What does this tell us about Abraham and

his choices? What can we learn from those choices?

What

were, however, some of the wrong choices that Abraham made?

What were the consequences of those choices? See Genesis 16,

21:9–14.

____________________________________________________________________

“Polygamy had become so widespread that it had ceased to be regarded

as a sin, but it was no less a violation of the law of God, and was fatal

to the sacredness and peace of the family relation. Abraham’s marriage

with Hagar resulted in evil, not only to his own household, but to future

generations.”—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 145.

Read Daniel 1:8–16. The words “Daniel purposed in his heart” indicate

that Daniel’s choice was both conscious and firm. The consequences of this

deliberate and reasoned decision influenced the whole life of Daniel and

occasioned his special blessing and attention by the Lord. Daniel reaffirmed

his commitment to the Lord daily in his seasons of prayer and devotion.

is one thing to say that we should make right choices; it is another to

have the conviction of heart to do it. What are ways that we can

program our minds so that we are more likely to make the right

choices? Ps. 119:11, Phil. 4:8, Col. 3:2.

In the end, we are free to choose for the Lord or free to choose against

Him. There is no middle ground. We are on one side or the other. This

doesn’t mean that we don’t make mistakes or fall (look at Abraham, for

instance); it means, instead, that we must “purpose in our hearts” to seek

to do God’s will, whatever the cost. We must “purpose in our hearts” to

choose what is right, and what is right is what God commands us to do.

What is important, one thing that we should never forget, is that if we

fall, if we make the wrong choices, God does not cast us off. The danger,

instead, is that we can feel so guilty, we can feel so bad, that we are in

danger of giving up. In such cases, our only hope is to cast ourselves at

the foot of the cross and claim the forgiveness offered in Jesus.

We d n e s d a y

April 7

Choice and the Next Generation

Read

Deuteronomy 30:10–19. What is the essence of the Lord’s

words to His people? What points jump out at you? More

important, how do you understand the idea that their choices

will impact the lives of their seed, their children? What does that

mean? How can our choices impact our children?

____________________________________________________________________

The consequences of life choices affect not just ourselves but often

our children, as well. Our influence is so much greater than we imagine,

especially on our children.

One example is that of drinking alcohol. A whole lot of hoopla has

been made of the supposed benefit of one glass of alcohol per day. This

promotion, empowered by liquor industry lucre, has fooled many. Few

people, though, are aware that these studies are seriously flawed and

when corrections for these flaws have been applied, it is found that these

touted benefits are nonexistent.

Alcohol remains what it always has been, one of the great scourges of

humanity; and with all the warnings we have been given about it, how

foolish to let our guard down now.

It is known that about 7 percent of persons who take a first drink will

become alcoholic or problem drinkers. The choice to introduce alcohol

into our homes, even just a little here and there, may or may not have

repercussions on us individually. We may not be damaged greatly by

it. But what of our children? What about the example you leave? If you

drink, it’s much more likely your children will, as well. Is it worth choos-

ing something that may steal the life of your child? Studies clearly have

shown that children raised in homes where alcohol is present are much

more at risk of alcohol problems than are children raised in homes where

alcohol is not consumed. That simple fact alone should make us even

more cautious about the examples we set.

Read again Deuteronomy 30:10–19. Your choices impact not just yourself

but your children, too. And if you don’t have children, why risk making a

choice that, in the end, presents so many hazards? God gave us these health

principles for our good. Do we have the faith to trust Him at His word?

Who has not seen examples of the devastation brought by alcohol

use? Why be foolish and risk that for yourself or, even worse, why

do something that influences others in the wrong direction?

Th u r s d a y

April 8

Choice and Chance

“And of Zion it will be said, ‘This one and that one were born in

her; and the Most High Himself shall establish her.’ The Lord will

record, when He registers the peoples: ‘This one was born there.’

Selah.” (Ps. 87:5, 6, NKJV).

Though all have the power of choice, not all have an equal array of

opportunities. Some choices limit future possibilities and opportuni-

ties. Some individuals suffer disadvantages without the choice being

theirs. Consider the disadvantages that cloud the lives of some: chil-

dren born into homes where drugs are used, where domestic violence

prevails, where poverty is extreme. Consider the ravages of violent

corruption and desperation. We all, to one degree or another, have

been placed in situations that are not of our own choosing.

Read

Psalm 87:5, 6. What is the message there for all of us regarding

some of the circumstances that are not of our own choosing? How,

too, should these verses help us better understand the meaning of

Matthew 7:1, 2?

God knows our circumstances; God knows that many of us have

been brought into horrible situations not of our own doing. God alone

fully knows the background of us all.

Who hasn’t, at times, met people struggling with some terrible

issues, issues brought about by choices that others made: a choice of a

parent to abandon the family; a choice of a spouse to commit adultery;

a choice of a friend to betray someone who had trusted him or her?

The variables are as endless as they are scary.

Yet, the good news in all this is that we can make one choice that is the

most important of all. We can choose to follow Jesus. As we choose Jesus

as our personal Savior, as we repent from our sinful ways, and as we are

baptized, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Through this gift, God

now enters and influences our hearts and minds to direct our actions and

to lead us to bear fruit. We become branches of the True Vine.

According to Galatians 5:22, 23, the fruit of the Spirit does not

come individually but as a cluster. It is the result of the Spirit taking

control of our will, at least to the degree that we choose to let Him.

In other words, through the power of God working in our lives, we

can—by our choices—allow the Lord to negate some of the negative

things brought upon us by choices we ourselves never made.

What are some of the things you have struggled with that are the

result of choices that others, not you, have made? What better choices

can you yourself make that could help in the healing process?

fr i d a y

April 9

Further Study:

Read Ellen G. White, “Good Angels More

Powerful Than Evil Angels,” p. 96, in Selected Messages, book 1.

“Every soul has a heaven to win, and a hell to shun. And the angelic

agencies are all ready to come to the help of the tried and tempted soul.

He, the Son of the infinite God, endured the test and trial in our behalf.

The cross of Calvary stands vividly before every soul. When the cases

of all are judged, and they [the lost] are delivered to suffer for their

contempt for God and their disregard of His honor in their disobedi-

ence, not one will have an excuse, not one will need to have perished.

It was left to their own choice who should be their prince, Christ or

Satan.”—Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 1, p. 96.

“God does not compel men to give up their unbelief. Before them are

light and darkness, truth and error. It is for them to decide which they

will accept. The human mind is endowed with power to discriminate

between right and wrong. God designs that men shall not decide from

impulse, but from weight of evidence, carefully comparing scripture

with scripture.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 458.

Discussion Questions:

l In class, discuss the whole question of freedom. What does

freedom mean? Is someone who chooses to be a slave really free?

How free are we, really? What are the limits of freedom? When

can freedom be a bad thing?

l Think about all the negative effects of alcohol. Think of the

lives ruined through its use. When contrasted with the supposed

benefits, why is it smart never to get involved with it at all?

l Some folk have been born into loving, Christian homes with

parents who loved them, cared for them, and taught them about

Jesus and His grace. Others have been born into homes where

the parents abused them and neglected them, and even if they

did talk about Jesus, they certainly didn’t reflect Christ in their

lives. Their actions revealed them to be agents of Satan, not of

Christ. What hope does the gospel hold out to these people?

What promises can you point them to?

l There’s no question, some folk have been born in horrible

circumstances with consequences that, to one degree or another,

will haunt them for the rest of their lives. At the same time, why

must we be careful not to spend the rest of our lives blaming our

parents, or our poor upbringing, for our problems? How can we

learn to, through God’s grace, move beyond these things?

tor

i n s i d e

Long-Distance Faith

Silas Motea is a lay Bible worker who lives in Johannesburg, South

Africa. He studied the Bible with a young couple who were baptized.

Then Stella, the young wife, lost her job. For months she searched for

work and sometimes wondered why God was allowing this trial. At last

she found a new job in her field of expertise. She shared her faith with

her new coworkers, and that’s when she met Mpho, a woman who wanted

to know more about the Bible. The two women began studying the Bible

together. Mpho found the Bible studies so compelling that she stopped in

the middle of one Bible study and called her mother long distance to share

what she was learning.

Mpho’s mother, Siongile, was excited too and wanted to know more.

But she lived 250 miles (400 kilometers) away. Stella didn’t know anyone

who lived near Siongile, so Mpho arranged to call her mother every day

so she could join the Bible studies over the telephone. Stella, Mpho, and

Siongile studied together, long distance, almost every day.

Siongile was excited about what she was learning and wanted someone

to visit her. Stella didn’t know anyone who lived in Siongile’s area, so

she asked Motea and his wife, who lived much closer to Siongile, to visit.

They were happy to go.

When the couple arrived at Siongile’s home, they found that the woman

had invited several neighbors to join her for the Bible study. During the

Bible study Motea learned that Siongile had been searching for God even

before her daughter had called her. And when Siongile learned that her

daughter was studying with Adventists, she asked an Adventist nurse to

take her to church.

Siongile was so excited about what she was learning that Motea and his

wife spent the entire day studying the Bible with her. They stayed over-

night and continued their Bible studies the following day. In two days the

trio had completed an entire series of Bible studies, and Siongile sighed,

“Why did I have to wait so long to find this message? If I had learned this

while I was still young, I could have raised my children in this faith and

shared the good news with my friends!”

Siongile traveled 250 miles [400 kilometers] to tell her other children

what she was learning. Both Siongile and Mpho have been baptized; and

Siongile wants to become a literature evangelist so she can share her new

faith with others.

Our mission offerings help provide materials to reach those who are searching.

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Missions.

Web site:www.adventistmission.org

L e s s o n

*April 10–16

Celebrating Spiritual and

Physical Fitness

sa b b a t h af t e r n o o n

Read for This Week’s Study:

Ps. 139:13–15; 1 Cor.

3:16, 17; 9:24–27; Eph. 2:8; 2 Tim. 2:3–5; 4:7; Heb. 11:6.

Memory Text:

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their

strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not

grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31, NIV).

uch effort had gone into the preparation that ultimately led

to Roger Bannister running the mile in under four minutes.

There was endless training and practice that included,

among other things, strenuous mountain climbing. Meanwhile, others

around the world had their eyes on the prize that had meant so much

to this young athlete.

May 6, 1954, dawned, the day that Bannister had been preparing

for emotionally, spiritually, intellectually, and physically for years

now. Yet, the morning before, he had slipped on a polished floor and

limped the rest of that day! Nevertheless, the race began the next day,

and Bannister ran the mile in 3 minutes, 59.4 seconds—the first per-

son to run the mile in less than four minutes!

Using imagery from athletics, the apostle Paul encourages us to

“run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Heb. 12:1, NIV).

Yet, the race Paul is talking about is a race so much more important

than the one Bannister won! This race demands our best possible

spiritual and physical fitness, and an important component of that fit-

ness is derived from exercise, our topic this week.

The Week at a Glance:

Physical exercise is a very impor-

tant part of keeping and maintaining our health.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, April 17.

Su n d a y

April 11

The Spiritual Athlete

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept

the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7). What was Paul, the great teacher of salvation

by faith alone, talking about here? What point was he making?

____________________________________________________________________

Across the centuries, humans have been fascinated with athletics,

and many have marveled at feats of the athlete. Who hasn’t at times

been envious of what these people have done with their bodies? And

yet, whatever their natural abilities, most of these people achieved

what they did through sheer hard work.

Someone once asked an award-winning, long-distance runner if

the runner thought this person could become a great runner, as well.

“Sure,” the athlete replied, “all you need to do is run 15 miles a day

for six days a week and then, on the seventh, run 25. Do that for a

year, and you’ll have a good chance of making it.”

The

Bible, in numerous places, compares the life of faith with some sort

of athletic endeavor. Read the following texts (1 Cor. 9:24–27, Phil.

3:12–14, 2 Tim. 2:3–5). What basic point are they making, and how

have you experienced the meaning of these texts yourself?

____________________________________________________________________

From merely looking at their facial expressions, one easily can form an

incorrect impression of how much (or little) joggers, cyclists, and runners

are enjoying themselves. It sometimes may appear that the whole endeavor

is a punishment. There are, however, many benefits to persisting with an

exercise program. These will be discussed later in the week. The benefits

come from the determined application and discipline required to perform

the exercise itself. There are certain rules to be adhered to. Regularity of

exercise is essential. There must be a goal and sometimes even a prize.

These principles apply to both spiritual and physical fitness. To be

spiritually fit, we need to focus on Jesus. We need to read His Word,

pray, and meditate. There are so many things that distract our attention.

These may include good and noble causes—our work, studies, or even

church activities. But we need to cast off the activities and distractions

that keep us from growing in grace and prioritize our goals if we are

going to finish strong.

Mo n d a y

April 12

When Faith’s Muscles Atrophy

Read

Ephesians 2:8 and Hebrews 11:6. How are these verses related?

Most important, how do we maintain and build up the faith that

we have been given as a gift?

_______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Those who have suffered a broken bone or severe joint sprain have

experienced the immobilization necessary for healing to take place.

Supportive casts, bandages, and even surgical pins are used to help

stabilize an injured joint or fractured limb. As a result of the immobi-

lization, the muscles related to that particular area are not used. With

this lack of use, a process of atrophy, or wasting, occurs. The muscles

become thin and weak. When the healing of the bone or joint has

taken place, movement begins to return, and with sustained use and

exercise, muscle strength is regained.

“Action is a law of our being. Every organ of the body has its

appointed work, upon the performance of which its development and

strength depend. The normal action of all the organs gives strength

and vigor, while the tendency of disuse is toward decay and death.

Bind up an arm, even for a few weeks, then free it from its bands,

and you will see that it is weaker than the one you have been using

moderately during the same time. Inactivity produces the same effect

upon the whole muscular system.”—Ellen G. White, The Ministry of

Healing, pp. 237, 238.

So it is with faith. If faith is not exercised, it does not grow. The

vital movements and actions of the limbs and body of faith cannot

take place. Though faith is a gift, if it is not exercised, if we do not

make choices based on it, if we do not reach out and by it claim God’s

promises, if we are not willing to take chances based on faith, if we

will not exercise faith to the point of being brought to our knees in

submission and humility, then we are in danger of losing it.

What a tragedy, because faith is one of the most precious of all God’s

gifts. Only those who know what it’s like to live in this world without

faith, without the knowledge of God, without the hope found in His

promises, can tell you just how wonderful and precious a gift it really is.

How often are you exercising the gift of faith? You might say

that you believe and that you have faith, but how well do your

actions show it? How can you learn to exercise your faith daily

in small things so that when big things come, you will be able to

reveal the faith that you profess?

_____________________________________________________

Tu e s d a y

April 13

Believing Without Seeing

The dejected young officer kicked a small stone in the dry, des-

ert sand. His mother was to undergo surgery for breast cancer. The

demands of the military operational schedule would not allow him to

return to be at her side. With a tinge of anger and rebellion, he asked,

“Why? Why? Why?” He had been praying for faith, and, in these

moments, when things were not going as he wanted, when his prayers

weren’t answered as he had hoped, he found his faith waning. The dark-

ness of doubt crept into his soul, and for a few moments, he wondered

if God existed at all. Then as the sun rose and the beauty of the dawn

filled the sky, his mind went to some verses in the Bible, to a story that

he had known since childhood, and as he dwelt upon that story, his faith

returned. However difficult it was for him to understand about things,

however hard it was for him to see the reasons for what had happened,

he pressed on ahead, trusting and loving His Lord Jesus.

Read

John 20:24–29. What does this story say to you? How often do

you need to believe without seeing? Why is that such an important

aspect of what it means to exercise faith?

____________________________________________________________________

After Jesus patiently and tenderly revealed His wounds to Thomas,

Thomas acknowledged, “My Lord and my God” (vs. 28). The text that

stuck in the young military officer’s mind was, “Blessed are those who

have not seen and yet have believed” (vs. 29, NKJV). This was indeed

the key—to believe without seeing; to take God at His word without

insisting on proof. After all, for some folk, all the proof in the world will

not convince them to believe. Living by faith is, then, going on what we

already know of God’s love; it means trusting God based on what we

already have experienced; it means taking Him at His word because He

has shown us His goodness and love—no matter how difficult our cir-

cumstances are and no matter how much we do not see or understand.

When was the last time you needed to act on faith without seeing?

What happened? What did you learn from that experience that

could help others who might be facing a similar situation? If you

had it to do over, what would you have done differently, and why?

_____________________________________________________

We d n e s d a y

April 14

The Benefits of Physical Exercise:

Part 1

So far this week we have been looking at what it means to exercise

faith. We have looked at some of the Bible’s images of athletes and

racing that were used to talk about the Christian walk of faith.

At the same time, too, we have been told that our bodies are the

temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19, 20).

Read

1 Corinthians 6:19, 20. What is Paul saying there? How might

the question of physical exercise be linked to these verses?

____________________________________________________________________

Our bodies are gifts from God. They are not to be abused. Science has

shown us, over and over, that almost every aspect of our physical being

is benefited by exercise. Sure, we were not all called to sprint four-minute

miles. But in almost all cases, we can do enough exercise in order to

benefit ourselves greatly, not just physically but mentally and spiritually,

as well.

As Christians, we do not believe in the Greek idea of a separate immor-

tal soul. We do not believe the pagan idea that the body is somehow evil.

Our minds, our bodies, these are both gifts from God, and they are very

closely related. How we feel physically will impact how we feel men-

tally, and that will impact how we feel spiritually, as well. Everything is

related, and we cannot neglect any aspect of our being without impacting

other aspects, as well.

“The requirements of God must be brought home to the conscience.

Men and women must be awakened to the duty of self-mastery, the need

of purity, freedom from every depraving appetite and defiling habit. They

need to be impressed with the fact that all their powers of mind and body

are the gift of God, and are to be preserved in the best possible condition

for His service.”—Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 130.

Those who exercise can attest to the wonderful benefits that come from

it. And the good news is, you do not need excessive amounts of it.

Though most of us are busy, we are commanded by God to take

care of ourselves, and exercise is one important way we can do

it. What about you? How much time do you spend exercising?

What excuses do you use to get out of doing it?

_____________________________________________________

Th u r s d a y

April 15

The Benefits of Physical Exercise:

Part 2

No question, just as faith needs to be exercised, our bodies do,

as well. Before starting an exercise program, however, we need to

be sure that our health will permit regular exercise. If there are any

preexisting health conditions or disabilities, it is wise to be guided

by a physician as to the appropriate intensity of exercise to be under-

taken.

Three points need to be kept in mind with any exercise program:

frequency, intensity, and duration.

1. Frequency. Currently, recommendations for optimal health and

fitness suggest that we should exercise at least six times a week.

2. Intensity. The appropriate intensity of exercise will vary depend-

ing upon your age and medical condition. Over time, if you are con-

sistent, you will be able to exercise harder and harder. It’s good to get

your heart beating faster and to work up a sweat. You have to pace

yourself. What works for one person might not work for another.

3. Duration. It is estimated that 45–90 minutes of exercise per day is

great. It would be beneficial if exercise were at least done for 30 min-

utes, six days per week. The exercise time may be divided into por-

tions. For example, 10 minutes each morning, midday, and evening. It

should be arranged to suit your program. Walking is an excellent and

sustainable form of exercise.

There are many proven benefits of exercise. Regular exercise helps

control weight. It is beneficial in helping to reduce high blood pres-

sure and an important adjunct to any medical therapy for high blood

pressure (under medical supervision and guidance). When exercise

is regularly performed, there is a decreased incidence of Type 2 dia-

betes. Additional benefits to heart health include the fact that regular

exercise improves the protective, healthy high-density lipoprotein

cholesterol (HDL).

Regular exercise gives one an improved feeling of well-being. This

occurs partly through chemicals called endorphins, which the body

produces during exercise. Exercise has been associated with delaying

the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, and it generally improves mental

performance. People who exercise regularly have less depression.

Exercise plays a role in the prevention of breast and colon cancer. The

benefits are many and varied.

Read Psalm 139:13–15. Dwell on just how incredibly designed

we are and what a miracle of creation our mere existence is.

Why is it so important for us, then, to take care of our bodies?

What kind of exercise regimen are you on, and how, if needed,

could you improve what you are doing?

_____________________________________________________

fr i d a y

April 16

Further Study:

Read Ellen G. White, “The Touch of Faith,” pp. 59–72,

in The Ministry of Healing.

“The only way to grow in grace is to be disinterestedly doing the

very work which Christ has enjoined upon us—to engage, to the

extent of our ability, in helping and blessing those who need the help

we can give them. Strength comes by exercise; activity is the very

condition of life. Those who endeavor to maintain Christian life by

passively accepting the blessings that come through the means of

grace, and doing nothing for Christ, are simply trying to live by eat-

ing without working. And in the spiritual as in the natural world, this

always results in degeneration and decay. A man who would refuse

to exercise his limbs would soon lose all power to use them. Thus

the Christian who will not exercise his God-given powers not only

fails to grow up into Christ, but he loses the strength that he already

had.”—Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, pp. 80, 81.

Discussion Questions:

l What other parallels can you draw between exercising faith

and exercising the body? Where do the parallels break down?

l Someone driving in a car saw a woman jogging. He rolled

down his window and yelled, “You’re going to die, anyway!”

However rude, the man was right. As important as physical

exercise is, and no matter how physically fit we become, we must

always remember that, in the end, we are mortal and—unless

we happen to be alive when Jesus returns—we are all going to

die. The best exercise regimen in the world doesn’t save us from

death. Healthful living and exercise do not lead to eternal life.

Only faith in Jesus does. Why is it important always to keep this

distinction in mind?

l If possible, bring to class some of the latest validated scientific

findings on the benefits of exercise. What do the studies teach,

and how can we help our church as a whole better understand

the benefits of exercise? How, too, can you get church members

to start exercising more than they are now?

l Without being judgmental of anyone, look around at your

church. Do folk look like they are getting plenty of exercise, or do

they look like they need to do more? What can you do to help?

tor

i n s i d e

Prayer Warriors

Larisa knows the power of prayer. Prayer strengthened her during the

difficult years when her homeland, Belarus, was under Communist con-

trol. Today she leads a prayer ministry that reaches out to all people.

Andrei walked into the prayer room one Sunday and asked the members

to pray for him. His doctors said he was dying of cirrhosis of the liver.

“I’ve prayed for months to be free of my addictions, but I’m weak,” he

said. “Please, pray for me.”

The prayer group prayed for Andrei, and Larisa taught him more about

God. As Andrei surrendered his will completely to God, he received vic-

tory from his addictions. His body was healed as well, and today Andrei

leads one of several prayer groups in his city.

“Life was hopeless for me before God changed my life,” he said. “Now

I have hope and peace and a mission to reach other addicts for Jesus. I

invite them to come to Jesus and find strength in prayer.”

Many who come to Larisa’s prayer group seeking help are not believ-

ers. Some are members of other churches, but everyone receives earnest

prayer.

Lyuda, a new believer, asked Larisa to pray for her son, Maxim. He had

broken his leg, and bone splinters had failed to heal properly. Doctors said

he would not walk again without surgery, but they couldn’t afford to pay

the medical costs. The group prayed for Maxim, and a few months later

X-rays revealed that the bone splinters were growing together. The boy

did not need surgery.

Arturo was a Christian, but his wife was not. When she lost her voice,

doctors found nodes growing on her larynx. Arturo asked Larisa and her

prayer warriors to pray. Larisa said they would pray first for her spiritual

well-being and then for her physical health.

Arturo’s wife began attending church, and in time she gave her heart

to God and was baptized. The prayer group continued praying, and when

she returned to see her doctor, he could find no sign of the nodes on her

larynx. Today she sings for God’s glory.

“Everyone who asks for prayer receives prayers,” Larisa says. “God

always answers our prayers, and many have come to know Jesus because

of intercessory prayer. Some have received different answers than they

asked for, but God’s answers are better than those they pray for.”

Believers in Belarus continue to struggle for their religious freedom.

Our prayers and mission offerings are helping believers in this country

reach out to others.

la r i s a Fi l i p o v a leads a prayer group in Minsk, Belarus.

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Missions.

Web site:www.adventistmission.org

L e s s o n

*April 17–23

The Water of Life

sa b b a t h af t e r n o o n

Read for This Week’s Study:

Gen. 2:10, Isa. 40:31, Matt.

9:2–7, John 4:1–26, 9:1–11, Rom. 6:1–6.

Memory Text:

“But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall

give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be

in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).

t is amazing how our senses can deceive us. The earth is spinning

on its axis at about a thousand miles per hour, while careening

around the sun at about 18 miles per second. And yet, despite all this

motion, it feels to us perfectly immobile. Meanwhile, things like tables,

chairs, rocks, and people (matter, basically)—however solid they

appear to our senses—are mostly empty space. At any given moment,

billions of subatomic particles from the sun are burrowing through our

bodies, and yet we do not feel, see, or hear any of them. And, despite

all outward appearances, our human bodies are made mostly of—water.

Water? Yes, we are truly aquatic beings, in the sense that our bodies

are made up of about 60 percent water. Our brains, believe it or not,

are about 85 percent water. Even our hard bones are about 10 to 15

percent water.

Full of wonder and mystery, water is foundational to all physical

life. Without it, we could not exist. This week we will take a look at

both the spiritual and physical aspects of this truly essential liquid.

The Week at a Glance:

God is the Source of physical and

spiritual water, which is essential for life.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, April 24.

Su n d a y

April 18

The Living Water

Read

John 4:1–26. What are the different ways water is used in this

story? What do the different kind of waters mean? What message

is there from this story for us today?

____________________________________________________________________

Jesus met a woman in Samaria who had come to draw water at

Jacob’s well. He asked for a drink. In the ensuing conversation, He

told her that He could give her water that would take away her thirst

forever and referred to Himself as the “Living Water.” Such a con-

cept implies His ability to satisfy the need for peace, joy, freedom

from guilt, forgiveness, and a sense of oneness with God. Christians

find such a solution in Jesus Christ. It is wonderful that He has offered

to all of us an opportunity to come and unite with Him in service. His

offer is still valid today, for He never changes. Many have found their

restlessness, insecurities, and sense of futility transformed as they

partake of His compassion, love, and acceptance.

God has promised us an abundance of spiritual water, as long as we

seek Him. In Revelation 22:17, He invites us all to “take the water

of life freely.” We can experience an abundance of the Holy Spirit in

our lives as long as we are close to Jesus Christ, the Fountain of Life.

In His love, He invites everyone to drink freely of the Water of Life

(John 4:13, 14). His invitation to receive this Living Water forever

is extended to all of us. As God provided the children of Israel water

from the rock, so Jesus is this Water of Life (1 Cor. 10:1–4) to us

today.

No matter who we are, no matter what our past has been, no matter

what our mistakes are, and even no matter what our present situation

is, the offer of this Living Water is for us. We are told to drink freely

of it. It’s offered to us through the grace of Christ.

No question, Jesus is Living Water for all of us. What has your

own experience with this water been? How have you known

for yourself the benefits and promises found in it? Are you

taking of it freely, or are you holding yourself somewhat back?

If the latter, ask yourself why. Whatever immediate gains you

might think you are getting from holding back, how could they

possibly compare to promises offered us in Jesus?

_____________________________________________________

Mo n d a y

April 19

The Waters of Baptism

Read Acts 8:35–39. Here Philip preached the Scripture to the

eunuch, telling him the good news of Jesus. The eunuch accepted

Jesus Christ as the Son of God. When they saw water, he asked Philip,

“What hinders me to be baptized?” He then was baptized by Philip,

and he went on rejoicing.

There is no miracle in the water itself; it is a symbol of cleansing. It

is the gift of the Spirit that transforms the life. Baptism is an outward

proclamation of the acceptance of Jesus. Read John 3:5–8. Jesus told

Nicodemus that “ ‘unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot

enter the kingdom of God’ ” (NKJV).

What

takes place when someone has been baptized by immersion

(Rom. 6:1–6)?

____________________________________________________________________

A genuine conversion symbolized in baptism by immersion signi-

fies the cleansing of one’s life. The New Testament mentions baptism

by immersion many times, emphasizing the importance of this rite in

our Christian experience.

“ ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus

Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift

of the Holy Spirit’ ” (Acts 2:38, NIV).

When we are saved, we are spiritually baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:26,

27) and received into His body, the church (1 Cor. 12:13). In biblical sym-

bolism, baptism by water represents inner cleansing (Eph. 5:25, 26) and

spiritual rebirth (John 3:5), both of which are central themes of salvation.

Many people take baptism for granted, but for many in the world, the act

requires immense courage. In a few countries, baptism can lead to isolation

from spouse, family, and community and to imprisonment or even to death.

Among Jesus’ last recorded words on earth were these: “ ‘Whoever

believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will

be condemned’ ” (Mark 16:16, NIV). Think about that for a moment. Jesus’

very last call is to believe in Him, which includes a call to be baptized. If

He puts it in that category, we cannot overlook its significance.

Read again Romans 6:1–6. How have you experienced the

reality of Paul’s words there? How has your “newness of life”

in Christ changed you? What have you been spared from? In

what areas do you still need more change? How can you better

cooperate with the Lord, who offers to wash away your sins?

Tu e s d a y

April 20

The Uses of Water

Genesis

2:10 reveals that in the Edenic earth, even before sin, water

was available for God’s creatures. What’s implied in that fact?

As creatures, we all need air, water, and food to preserve our exis-

tence (Gen. 1:29). In the description of Eden, aside from the presence

of a beautiful garden, there was also a river that gave rise to four other

rivers, Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, and Euphrates. God provided water to

preserve the lives of His creatures.

As God’s creatures, we need water in order to survive. In fact,

every body cell, tissue, and organ needs water to function. Water

helps to regulate body temperature, transports nutrients and oxygen

to the cells, removes waste, prevents constipation, moistens tissues,

cushions joints, and keeps blood flowing throughout the body. We

need to drink more water than our thirst demands. Many liquids, such

as water, milk, and fruit and vegetable juices, contribute to hydra-

tion; however, alcohol and caffeinated beverages may paradoxically

increase fluid loss, which may be harmful.

Pure water is superior to many other drinks. Start your day with one

or two glasses of water and continue drinking water between meals to

make sure you are well hydrated.

Water has other healthful functions, as well. Hand washing may

reduce transmission of many infectious agents from person to person.

A large percentage of infectious disease would be eliminated by hand

washing, especially before eating. Daily bathing removes accumu-

lated dirt, which can lead to disease, as well.

Read

Leviticus 11:40; 13:6, 34, 53, 54; 15:1–13. What point comes

through here?

A fair amount of scholarly debate exists regarding the purpose

behind these cleansing rituals in the Old Testament. Many argue that

these are purely ritual, with no health aspect involved at all. And

though in some cases that point seems more obvious than in others

(such as when the priests had to wash their hands and feet before

going into the tabernacle [see Exod. 30:20, 21]), with what we know

today about germs and cleanliness, the Lord could have instituted

these things for health purposes as well, even if the Israelites them-

selves had no idea of germ theory and the like.

Whatever the facts are, today we know that using water to keep

ourselves clean gives us wonderful health benefits.

We d n e s d a y

April 21

The Power of Water

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not

be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isa. 40:31).

Meditate

upon this text. What promises can you take from it for

yourself? How can you apply it to yourself?

____________________________________________________________________

An historic experiment conducted by Dr. Pitts at Harvard University

had athletes—walking on a treadmill at three and a half miles per hour

in a hot environment—consume as much water as they lost in their

sweat. At the end of the experiment, the athletes felt as if they could

continue walking—seven hours later!—G. C. Pitts, R. E. Johnson, F.

C. Conzolazio, “Work in the Heat as Affected by Intake of Water,

Salt, and Glucose,” American Journal of Physiology 142:253, 1944.

The same athletes, deprived of water during the experiment on another

day, reached the point of exhaustion within three and half hours.

The message is obvious. Water can give us power and energy, espe-

cially when we are doing strenuous work. In contrast, inadequate water

intake may result in dehydration, which leads to fatigue and exhaus-

tion much more quickly than if we were drinking enough water. Also,

insufficient water can impair our vital functions. Though compensatory

mechanisms may come into play, a chronic water deficiency will lead to

ill health.

It is possible that adequate fluid intake may limit some symptoms such

as headaches, thus decreasing the need for headache medicine, which can

cause bad side effects, especially if used often. As most athletes know,

during prolonged and arduous exercise, water requirements increase

significantly.

Nevertheless, it is possible to drink too much water, resulting in water

intoxication. The appropriate amount of water intake depends upon

multiple factors, such as temperature, body size, and kidney function,

but it should be sufficient to result in pale or clear urine in normal

circumstances. In most cases people should make an effort to drink a

minimum of six to eight (at least 250 ml per glass) glasses of water per

day, more when doing strenuous work in hot environments.

How much water are you drinking each day? Make a conscious

choice to keep track of how much water you are drinking, and if

you’re not getting enough, what’s holding you back from doing

something so simple and yet that holds so many benefits for you?

Th u r s d a y

April 22

Water as Therapy

“He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay,

and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of

Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight”

(John 9:11).

Read

John 9:1–11, the story of Jesus healing the man blind from

birth. What is different about this healing miracle in comparison

to some of the others? See for instance Matt. 8:8–13; 9:2–7; Luke

8:46, 47. What possible meaning could be found in this difference,

if any?

____________________________________________________________________

It is essential that water used both internally and externally be clean.

Many people have difficulty accessing pure, clean water. Water taken

from contaminated sources requires either chemical treatment or boil-

ing to make it safe for consumption and domestic use.

Water is beneficial externally as well as when used internally. It

may be used externally in treatments known as hydrotherapy. The

intelligent, careful use of hot and cold wet towels in this process of

hydrotherapy may bring relief to a number of conditions. Caution

should be employed in cases of poor circulation, persons with diabe-

tes, or neurological illnesses. It could very well be to your advantage

to get proper training in the use of hydrotherapy.

“But many have never learned by experience the beneficial effects of

the proper use of water, and they are afraid of it. Water treatments are

not appreciated as they should be, and to apply them skillfully requires

work that many are unwilling to perform. But none should feel excused

for ignorance or indifference on this subject. There are many ways in

which water can be applied to relieve pain and check disease. All should

become intelligent in its use in simple home treatments. Mothers, espe-

cially, should know how to care for their families in both health and

sickness.”—Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 237.

How conscientious are you with your health habits in general?

That is, how could you be taking better care of yourself now?

Why wait until your bad habits make you sick? How much bet-

ter it would be to start following good health principles now and

prevent disease instead of going through the hassle of seeking

to be cured.

fr i d a y

April 23

Further Study:

Read Ellen G. White, “Beverages,” pp. 419,

420, in Counsels on Diet and Foods; “Frequent Bathing,” p. 104, in

Counsels on Health.

“Those who treat the sick should move forward in their important

work with strong reliance upon God for His blessing to attend the

means which He has graciously provided, and to which He has in

mercy called our attention as a people, such as pure air, cleanliness,

healthful diet, proper periods of labor and repose, and the use of

water.”—Ellen G. White, Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 303.

“The priest had that morning performed the ceremony which com-

memorated the smiting of the rock in the wilderness. That rock was a

symbol of Him who by His death would cause living streams of sal-

vation to flow to all who are athirst. Christ’s words were the water of

life. There in the presence of the assembled multitude He set Himself

apart to be smitten, that the water of life might flow to the world. In

smiting Christ, Satan thought to destroy the Prince of life; but from

the smitten rock there flowed living water. As Jesus thus spoke to the

people, their hearts thrilled with a strange awe, and many were ready

to exclaim, with the woman of Samaria, ‘Give me this water, that I

thirst not.’ John 4:15.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 454.

Discussion Questions:

l In some parts of the world, people can walk into a grocery

store and find about forty varieties of bottled water. In other

parts of the world, folk have to struggle to find enough clean

water to drink. What can we do to help those who don’t have

enough water for life’s basic necessities? What is the water situ-

ation where you live? How can we improve the stewardship of

water in our communities?

l If you have access to a health professional or someone who

knows about the topic of water, ask him or her to come to class

and spend some time giving more details about the use and

benefits of water. Ask, too, about the daily things we can do in

order to derive as many health benefits as possible from the use

of water.

l Jesus tells us to come and drink freely of the water of life

(Rev. 22:17). What does that mean? How do we do that? What

requirements, if any, are placed on us in order to drink of this

water?

tor

i n s i d e

The Lost Cow

Subba Rao was worried. His cow had wandered off while grazing, and

Subba couldn’t find her. Like most people living in the villages near his in

Andhra Pradesh, India, Subba Rao relied on his livestock for a livelihood.

Now his cow was missing. Subba asked his neighbors if they had seen his

cow, but no one had. Subba asked people in the neighboring villages if

they had seen his cow, but again no one had seen her. Subba grew more

concerned, for the cow was his most valuable possession, and she was

about to have a calf.

Subba offered gifts to the idols in his home and prayed that his cow

would find her way home. But days passed, and the cow did not return.

When three weeks had passed with no word about the cow’s whereabouts,

his friends encouraged him to forget about her. Surely she was dead by

now.

Then someone suggested that Subba Rao ask the Adventist pastor who

lived in the village to pray for his cow. Subba saw no harm in trying, so

he went to see the pastor and asked, somewhat reluctantly, whether he

would pray for Subba’s lost cow. The pastor agreed. He called together

several church members to meet and pray together for Subba’s missing

cow. Subba watched and listened to the believers’ prayers. The pastor

and church members urged Subba to believe in Jesus, the true and living

God, the only God who could hear and answer his prayers. Subba nodded

thoughtfully.

Three days later Subba’s cow returned home. The next day the cow

delivered a healthy calf. Subba Rao and his family rejoiced over the

lost cow. He told the pastor and the church members of their answered

prayers.

The pastor invited Subba and his family to come to church and worship

God, who had heard and answered Subba’s prayers. Subba accepted, and

today he and his family worship in the Adventist church regularly. The

family is learning more about the God who cares for them and even cares

for their cow. Soon Subba and other members of his family will be bap-

tized into God’s family. After all, if Jesus cares about their missing cow,

how much more does He care about them?

Our mission offerings help plant churches in villages throughout India

and around the world.

su b b a ra o shares his faith in his home village of India.

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Missions.

Web site:www.adventistmission.org

L e s s o n

*April 24–30

The Environment

sa b b a t h af t e r n o o n

Read for This Week’s Study:

Genesis 1–2:7, 18–24; 3:7,

17–19; Ps. 24:1; Matt. 25:34–46; Mark 2:27, 28; 3:4.

Memory Text:

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the

world, and all who live in it” (Psalm 24:1, NIV).

he Creator spent the first five days of Creation week preparing

the environment for the human beings who were to follow. He

placed Adam and Eve in a garden (Gen. 2:8, 15) and gave them

the oversight of all earthly creatures. This offered them the oppor-

tunity for study and enjoyment and the chance to develop as God’s

representatives on earth. The Sabbath would seal their relationship

with Him.

Sin changed God’s preferred plan. The environment became hostile.

Hard toil replaced pleasurable work. Selfishness ruled. Exploitation

of the earth’s resources began and continues to this day. Forests have

been cut down. Water courses have been changed, and pollution is

rampant. The richness of the soil has been squandered thoughtlessly.

Sunlight, though crucial for health, can become a foe of health if we

are exposed to it in excess. Through all this, the world still supports

our existence here, despite our endless abuse of the planet.

The Week at a Glance:

Our environment is just as much a

gift from God as life itself; thus, we have a responsibility toward

it.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, May 1.

Su n d a y

April 25

Creating the Environment

Some theories today depict the creation of the earth, and life on it,

as nothing more than an accident, nothing but the chance creation of

amoral forces that over time and without thought brought the earth

and all life on it into existence. In contrast, the Bible presents a radi-

cally different picture of our origin. The contrast between the godless

and purposeless model of our origin, as expressed by the theory of

evolution, and the Genesis Creation account could not be more dis-

tinct. These two views are, at their core, incompatible.

Read

Genesis 1 and Genesis 2:1–7. How did God’s acts of Creation

week prepare the way for the crowning act of Creation—man

and woman? How did creation of humans differ from the rest of

creation?

____________________________________________________________________

Let us pause for a moment at the scene of the Creator God working

on the creation of man and woman. First, He forms Adam from the

ground; here is God, the Sculptor. Then, when all else is ready, He

bends down and breathes His own breath into Adam’s waiting form.

God the Giver of life brings Adam to life. What a marvelous picture

of our God at work!

But that is not all. He becomes God the Surgeon as He takes a rib

from Adam and forms Eve to be the partner of Adam and the mother

of the race. She is also to stand by his side in this perfect setting (see

Gen. 2:18–24). He then puts these brand-new beings into the place of

beauty and wonder He had spent previous time preparing.

God provided the most healthful surroundings for Adam and Eve.

The restful green of foliage, the color of flowers and fruit—all com-

bined to make the ideal home for them. The Lord did not plan a life

of idleness for our first parents. They were to work in the Garden and

care for it. In this way they would find satisfaction and enjoyment.

They would learn more of God in what we have come to call God’s

second book—nature.

Read through the Genesis Creation account again in Genesis 1

and 2. What do we find there that points us toward the idea that,

as humans beings, we should be good stewards of the earth?

_____________________________________________________

Mo n d a y

April 26

The Sabbath Environment

How interesting that amid all the work of creation, God was not

quite done until He created the Sabbath day. What a contrast: all the

work of creating the world, the animals, the seas, the grass, and finally

humankind—and then, one final act, the act of resting.

Read

Genesis 2:2, 3. What can we read into the fact that God Himself

rested on the Sabbath day?

____________________________________________________________________

God Himself, in the role of Creator, keeping the seventh-day Sabbath?

Talk about showing us the deep roots of the Sabbath! Whatever the impli-

cations of that idea, one thing is sure: the seventh-day Sabbath came from

God long before there ever was a Jewish nation and people.

The Sabbath, meanwhile, has provided us an opportunity to focus

attention on the Creator, His love, and His care for His creatures in a way

that would otherwise not be easily available to us. It helped set a limit to

labor, even in a time when labor was relatively easy and productive. After

sin entered and work became much harder and tiring (Gen. 3:17–19), this

limit on work and the call to remember the Creator became even more

important. As a reminder of the Creation itself, it should help us focus on

our responsibility to our created world, as well.

As the centuries passed, the true meaning of the Sabbath rest became

lost in numerous rules and regulations that turned the thoughts of the

people away from the true meaning and value of the Sabbath.

Read

Mark 2:27, 28 and Mark 3:4. What was Jesus’ understanding

of the Sabbath?

____________________________________________________________________

Christ restored the meaning of the Sabbath to what God originally

intended it to mean. He showed how God viewed the day as a time

for doing good, for seeking the advancement of His kingdom, and for

being of service to all in need.

How could and should Sabbath keeping help us better under-

stand the wonderful gift we’ve been given of this created world

and, more so, how could and should it help us understand bet-

ter our obligation to take care of it?

Tu e s d a y

April 27

Changes in the Environment After Sin

Read

Genesis 3:7, 17–19. What was the first indication to Adam and Eve

that their action in eating the forbidden fruit had consequences?

____________________________________________________________________

With the entry of sin into their lives, Adam and Eve faced some hard

consequences. First, as Ellen White wrote, the clothing of light that

had covered them disappeared. The environment that had clothed them

changed. The environment of the plant world changed, as well. Thorns

and thistles grew. The soil became hard and unyielding. And, worst of all,

there was now the entrance of death, something that they never were to

have known.

Suddenly, the wonderful environment that had been theirs to enjoy now

had a new face, and it presented to them new challenges, challenges that

over time and in subsequent generations only became worse. Humans,

meanwhile, began to exploit the earth, often for their own gain and glory.

See

1 Kings 10:14–22. What does this tell us about how humans had

come to view the Creation?

____________________________________________________________________

Exploitation, decay, loss of substance, and death have been present

with all peoples—so much so that we may take them for granted as

part of the cycle of life. But it was not so in the beginning and is not

in God’s final plan. Humankind’s stewardship of the earth has turned

into an exploitation of it, as greedy people seek to take all from the

earth that they can, regardless of the consequences.

The pollution of air and water, the contamination of soil, and the

presence of new and fearful disease agents all point to the aging of the

earth and the escalating need for renewal. As more and more countries

seek to develop, and as developed countries seek to continue to main-

tain their standard of living, the health challenges humanity faces are

becoming enormous because of damage to the environment.

Years ago, a political leader made a statement to this effect:

“We don’t have to worry about the environment because Jesus

is coming back soon.” What is the logic of that argument? How

would you respond to it?

We d n e s d a y

April 28

Our Responsibility for the

Environment

Read

Psalm 24:1. What implications do these words have for us and

how we relate to the world? As we look around at the conditions

in our world, we need to ask the question, “What, if anything, can

we do to improve the environment?”

____________________________________________________________________

We need to begin by reminding ourselves of the Lordship of God

over the earth. We are not free of responsibility to Him and His cre-

ated works. Not only the earth is His but the people also—we and

everyone else. We are responsible to Him for other people, as well as

the rest of the earthly creation. We can conserve resources.

One example is water. We can be thoughtful in using water. We

can support efforts to provide clean water to those who do not have

it. In certain parts of the world, lack of clean water is a very serious

problem, leading to a tremendous loss of life.

We can follow the diet that the Lord has outlined for us. If more

people were on a vegetarian diet, there would be more food to go

around because it takes a lot more natural resources to sustain a meat-

eating diet than to sustain a vegetarian one.

We can care for the plants and trees that we have responsibility for.

This will assist in maintaining clean air.

To whatever degree we can, we should seek to reduce the level

of carbon emissions, which is increasingly becoming a worldwide

concern due to the potentially dangerous impact to the environment

caused by carbon emissions.

By being good stewards of the earth, by seeking to take care of

the environment, by not hoarding natural resources for ourselves, by

being willing to share with others out of our own abundance (if we

have it), we can improve the daily lives of those who need our help.

As Christians, as those who profess to follow the Lord Jesus, we are

obligated to help those in need.

Read Matthew 25:34–46. How might our stewardship of the

earth in some way play a role here in doing what Jesus asks

us to do? What other verses could you think of that also could

apply to this issue?

_____________________________________________________

Th u r s d a y

April 29

Sun Worshipers

Only in the light of eternity will we be able to grasp fully the nega-

tive impact of sin on the environment. It’s hard for us to imagine what

this world must have looked like and how perfectly suited for life the

environment must have been for our first parents.

Of course, sin didn’t just impact the earth. It impacted humans, as

well. Among the negative impacts of sin on humans was their degen-

eration into idolatry, which was manifested in (among other ways)

their worshiping and serving “created things” (Romans 1:25, NIV) as

opposed to the Creator.

Read

2 Kings 23:1–5; Jeremiah 8:1, 2; and Ezekiel 8:16. What was going

on here? Why, in one sense, would it make sense to worship the sun?

____________________________________________________________________

One thing we can know for sure about the environment of the earth

today is that sunlight, though very important for our health, can have

exceedingly deleterious effects if we’re exposed to too much. Thus, in a

sense, modern sun worshipers are living in almost as much ignorance as

their ancient predecessors.

We now know that too much exposure to sunlight increases the risk of

various skin cancers.

On the other hand, sunlight exposure helps to produce vitamin D,

which is essential for body metabolism and the building of strong and

healthy bones. Adequate exposure to sunlight also helps to prevent cer-

tain types of cancer.

What, then, is the optimal exposure to sunlight? Light-skinned people

in equatorial environments who rely on sunlight for their vitamin D

require at least five minutes per day of direct exposure. Dark-skinned

people in the same environment require about thirty minutes to make the

same amount of vitamin D. In areas where the hours of sunlight are more

limited, vitamin D should be supplemented under medical supervision.

It also is healthful to open curtains and windows to allow sunlight to

enter our rooms, which helps destroy certain bacteria.

Studies show that folk without adequate sunlight exposure can be more

prone to suffer from seasonal depression (known as seasonal affective

disorder); this problem occurs especially in areas where the days are short

in winter. The cure is very straightforward: more exposure to light, even

if artificial, in the winter months.

The bottom line? As with so much else regarding healthful living, tem-

perance and balance in regard to sunlight exposure are crucial.

fr i d a y

April 30

Further Study:

Read Ellen G. White, “The Creation,” pp. 44–51,

in Patriarchs and Prophets; “The Controversy Ended,” pp. 675–678,

in The Great Controversy.

“ ‘Since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly

seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal

power and Godhead.’ Romans 1:20 [NKJV]. The things of nature that

we now see give us but a faint conception of Eden’s glory. Sin has

marred earth’s beauty. On all things may be seen traces of the work of

evil. Yet much that is beautiful remains. Nature testifies that One infi-

nite in power, great in goodness, mercy, and love, created the earth and

filled it with life and gladness. Even in their blighted state, all things

reveal the handiwork of the great Master Artist. Wherever we turn, we

may hear the voice of God and see evidences of His goodness.”—Ellen

G. White, The Ministry of Health and Healing, p. 234.

Discussion Questions:

l The issue of the environment, especially the question of global

warming, has in recent years come to the forefront of the news.

What is the response of your nation, community, and church to

these issues?

l How should a Christian, someone who believes that God did

create the world, relate to questions of the environment differ-

ently than someone who believes we are here as products of pure

chance alone?

l How can and should the Sabbath play a role in our concern

for the environment? How does Sabbath keeping help us be bet-

ter environmentalists?

l If Jesus is coming back soon, as we believe, should we really be

all that concerned with the environment? Justify your answer.

l Do some research, if possible, on the negative health effects

that damage to the environment is causing in various parts of the

world. What about in your own community? What role could

and should your church take in this area? How might you be

able to use any activism here in outreach?

l What are ways, even small ways, you could make some life-

style changes that could impact the environment for good? How

much self-sacrifice would it take on your part?

tor

i n s i d e

The Prodigal Soul Winner

by al b e r t o vi l l a n u e v a

As a youth I found no reason to live. I was deeply into alcoholism and

was having problems with my family. I left home and moved to another

part of Mexico.

I met an Adventist man who gave me a well-marked Bible. I read it,

especially the marked verses, and was amazed that God’s Word was so

alive. I began attending church and eventually asked the pastor to prepare

me for baptism.

God rescued me from a hopeless life and gave me a ministry to people

who are living as I once lived. I’ve seen God open many doors.

My wife had some distant relatives with whom we became friends. I

wanted to study the Bible with them, but when I asked the husband, he

said it was impossible; they were strong members of another faith. Right

there I silently prayed for God to open this man’s heart. As we stood to

leave, the man said, “Come back soon and share the Bible with us!”

The family began Bible studies, but one of the sons, Servino, refused

to study with us. We continued studying together for three months, and

eventually Servino joined us again. Seven family members committed

their lives to Christ, including Servino. Only later did I learn that Servino

had been so angry about the Bible studies that he had plotted to kill me.

I held a short evangelistic series in a mountain village. As I walked to

one family’s home, I noticed that I was being followed. When I arrived at

the family’s home, the man of the house recognized one of the men fol-

lowing me. “Be careful,” he whispered. “These men are thieves. Carry a

weapon to protect yourself.” I told him that I carried no weapon.

The host, who owned a small store in the area, told the thief, “Leave this

man alone. He’s a missionary who has come to share God’s love with us.”

The thief disappeared and didn’t bother me. Eventually, two members of

this man’s family were baptized, along with five other people.

I share the gospel with others because God shared it with me. I praise

God that some 50 people have been rescued from Satan’s lies and have

committed their hearts to Christ.

Pray for those who are searching for something better in life. And

remember that your mission offerings help make a difference in the lives

of those who need to know about God’s love.

al b e r t o vi l l a n u e v a shares his faith in Morelos, Mexico.

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Missions.

Web site:www.adventistmission.org

L e s s o n

*May 1–7

Faith and Healing

sa b b a t h af t e r n o o n

Read for This Week’s Study:

Gen. 3:8–10, Ps. 118:6, Prov.

17:22, Matt. 6:27–34, Heb. 13:6, 1 John 4:18.

Memory Text:

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind

is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3).

onvinced that he was the victim of an evil spell, a patient came

to a physician with symptoms unrelated to any known disease

or syndrome. The doctor placed before the patient two glass

tubes, one filled with hydrogen peroxide, the other with plain water,

though both looked identical. He then drew blood from the patient

and mixed it with the hydrogen peroxide. The mixture immediately

started to bubble and fizz, which the patient believed was the work

of the evil spell.

The doctor then gave the patient a simple saline injection, telling

him that this would break the spell. After a while, he then drew blood

from the patient and mixed it with the plain water in the other glass.

There was no bubbling or fizzing, proof that the spell was broken. The

patient left feeling cured, so much so that he brought all his friends to

the doctor to be cured, as well.

This story shows, indeed, how powerful an influence our mind has

on our bodies, the subject for this week’s lesson.

The Week at a Glance:

Faith and trust in the Lord’s good-

ness can have very positive health effects.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, May 8.

Su n d a y

May 2

The Fear Factor

For a few seasons, TV watchers were subjected to a show called

Fear Factor, in which contestants would be placed in various fearful

situations: from sitting in a pit filled with scorpions or rats to walking

through a building that was on fire—all in order to see how well they

would deal with fear.

Of course, one doesn’t need to manufacture fear. Life itself, in this

fallen world, is full of things that cause us to be afraid. A seventeenth-

century British political philosopher, Thomas Hobbes, wrote that fear

was the prime and motivating factor in all human life and that humans

created governments for the main purpose of protecting us against

those who would do us harm. No matter who we are, where we live,

how good and safe we might feel, we all face things that cause us to

fear.

Fear, though, in and of itself, isn’t always bad.

What

are ways in which fear can help protect us? What are things,

in fact, that we should be afraid of?

____________________________________________________________________

Fear is a natural and necessary emotion that helps humans cope

with danger and helps them survive. This emotion and instinct is

necessary in a world subject to accidents, crime, disease, terrorism,

and war.

What

can we learn about fear from the Bible’s first mention of it?

Gen. 3:8–10.

____________________________________________________________________

Sure, there are many things to make us afraid in this world. So

often, though, we find ourselves fearing things that never come to

pass. Fear is a very stressful emotion, one that can take a powerful

physical toll on our bodies. In other words, fear is not merely limited

to what it does to our minds; it can have a very deleterious effect on

our physical health, as well. No matter who we are, where we live, or

what challenges we face, fear is an ever-present part of our lives. The

question for us, then, should be, How are we to deal with it?

What are your fears? How have they affected your life? How

can you better take advantage of the promises of God in dealing

with things that make you afraid?

_____________________________________________________

Mo n d a y

May 3

A Man Said to the Universe

A man said to the universe:

“Sir I exist!”

“However,” replied the universe,

“The fact has not created in me

A sense of obligation.”—Stephen Crane

Read

the poem above. What is the message there? How should we, as

Seventh-day Adventist Christians, differ in our view of our place

in the universe from the idea presented here? What is the main

reason for that difference?

____________________________________________________________________

Think for a moment: suppose there were no God, no Creator, no

Divine Power who created us. Suppose, instead, we were what many

folk claim we are: highly advanced apes, nothing more; just beings who

arose amid a godless universe that cares nothing about us at all. Suppose

we were at the mercy of mindless forces that have no interest or concern

about us or our well-being. What kind of world would that be?

In contrast, that is not what we as Christians believe. We believe,

instead, that God created us, sustains us, and cares for us. Because of

this, we of all people should have reasons to be able to deal with the

fears and trials that beset all humanity.

Look

up the following texts. What hope and comfort, even amid fear-

ful times, can you draw from these texts? Ps. 118:6; Prov. 3:5, 6;

Luke 12:6, 7; Rom. 8:38, 39; Heb. 13:6; 2 Tim. 1:7; 1 John 4:18.

____________________________________________________________________

There is no question, even as Christians who believe in the exis-

tence of God, that we face a scary world out there, a world where

anything can happen. With our knowledge of God, however, we have

a context, a background, to help us better understand the world as a

whole and our place in it. And thus, ideally, we can have hope and

comfort even amid the most trying times. This does not mean we

do not face bad things or things that can cause us to fear. It means,

instead, that we have a firm foundation upon which to meet and deal

with those fears.

Tu e s d a y

May 4

The Power of Faith

“A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit

dries the bones” (Prov. 17:22, NKJV). What does this text tell us

about the link between the mind and the body?

____________________________________________________________________

A young child lay dying in a hospital bed when his teacher visited

him and gave him some schoolwork to do. “Here, Michael,” he said,

“are lessons on verbs and adverbs. Do the best you can.” The teacher,

though, could not help but sense the futility of it all, because the child

seemed so lethargic, so empty, so resigned to death. Yet, right after

that, the child had a remarkable turnaround. Before the prognosis was

not good, and he now seemed well on his way to recovery. When

asked about what happened, about why the schoolwork seemed to

have changed him so much, he replied, “They wouldn’t give a dying

boy work on adverbs and verbs, would they?”

No question, the link between our mind, our attitude, and our bodies

is very powerful. Though science cannot fully explain how that link

works, it recognizes that the link is there, and this can make a world

of difference in our overall health.

And here is where faith in God and trust in His love and His good-

ness can make such a difference. How much easier to be calmer and

less stressed when you know the reality of God’s love and His care

for you! Studies from around the world have shown that religious

faith brings with it clear health benefits, that those who believe in

God tend to live longer, to suffer less depression, and to deal better

emotionally with traumatic events. And while we certainly can’t rule

out the supernatural and miraculous power of God to bring healing in

our lives, that is not necessarily what is only involved here. Instead,

the peace, the assurance, the hope that faith gives believers no doubt

can bring about mental attitudes that will impact our overall health.

A merry heart can, indeed, be like medicine—even better, because so

often medicine can come with deleterious side effects.

Read Matthew 6:27–34. What is Jesus saying to us here? How

can you apply these words to whatever is causing you fear and

worry now? Are any of those fears too great for the Lord to

handle? Is anyone beyond the loving reach of God? How can

you learn to surrender these fears to the Lord and have the

peace that He promises?

_____________________________________________________

We d n e s d a y

May 5

Stressing Out

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in

believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy

Spirit” (Rom. 15:13, NKJV). How can you learn to better claim

these promises? What attitudes or actions are holding you back?

____________________________________________________________________

One of the greatest health challenges we all face has to do with

stress; it does not have to be with major traumas in life but with life

in general, with the daily pressures that we so often face.

Doctors report that up to 90 percent of patients they see come

with stress-related complaints. Science has shown that when we are

stressed, we release certain hormones that can affect various organs in

our bodies. Over long periods of time, the organs can be weakened by

these hormones, making them more susceptible to disease. Stress, for

instance, can release adrenaline, which causes the heart to beat faster

and more powerfully, leading to palpitations. Some stress hormones

cause the blood vessels to constrict, causing hypertension. Stress can

induce shallow and rapid breathing, even hyperventilation. Stress can

result in the diversion of blood from the stomach, causing digestive

problems. (Who has not felt what fear, anxiety, and worry can do to

the stomach?) Stress can cause an increase in blood glucose, which in

some people can lead to diabetes. Stress also is known to have a nega-

tive impact on our sleep, which in turn can have a negative impact on

our overall health. Stress has been shown, too, to affect negatively our

immune system, our body’s frontline defense against disease.

The list can go on and on. And so the point should be clear. We need

to learn to handle stress. Here is where faith in God can have such an

important role, because knowing and experiencing for yourself the

reality of God’s love can have such a calming effect, greatly reducing

stress and the negative health consequences that often follow it.

Just being religious, in and of itself, is not the answer. What

is most important is having a personal relationship with Jesus,

knowing for yourself His love and care. This can be done through

daily reading of the Word, through prayer, through talking to the

Lord as if with a friend, and through contemplating His character

as revealed in nature and Scripture. How much time do you spend

getting to know the Lord for yourself? Might you need, perhaps, to

spend a little more time with your Lord and Maker?

Th u r s d a y

May 6

Faith and Miraculous Healing

Even a superficial reading of the Gospels shows that much of Jesus’

ministry involved miraculous healing: the sick, the blind, the dying,

even the dead—all were healed through the supernatural power of the

Lord. In many cases, too, faith is treated as a prerequisite to the heal-

ing itself (Matt. 9:2, 22, 28, 29; 15:28).

In contrast, in some cases, disbelief was a deterrent to healing, as in

Nazareth (Matt. 13:58; Mark 6:5, 6). In one case when the disciples

were unable to perform a healing, Jesus said it was because of their

unbelief (Matt. 17:14–20).

The fact, however, that faith is such an important component in

these miraculous healings has led some to believe that if an attempt

at healing through prayer fails, it is because of a lack of faith on the

part of the one who is sick. Yet, this is a very superficial and false

understanding of faith and healing.

Read

the following texts in which Jesus miraculously healed people.

What do the texts say about the faith of those who were healed?

What lessons can we take from these examples? Matt. 12:9–13,

Luke 13:11–13, 14:2–4, 22:47–52.

____________________________________________________________________

In none of these texts is there any mention of faith on the part of

those who were healed. This is not to diminish the role of faith in the

question of miraculous healing; it is just to show that expressed faith

is not always a crucial component.

The fact is that we do not understand why in some cases we can see

what is obviously a supernatural intervention of the Lord for healing.

In other cases, healing comes from natural processes, in which we jus-

tifiably can believe that the hand of the Lord is working in behalf of

the sick through these means. And there always are those cases where,

for reasons we do not understand, healing does not come as we have

prayed for and would wish for. The good news for us as Seventh-day

Adventist Christians, however, is that even in these latter cases, we

still can trust in the love, mercy, and goodness of God, even amid the

inexplicable tragedies that always are part of a fallen world.

How can we learn to trust in the Lord and in His love for us,

even when prayers for health and healing have not come as we

would have liked?

_____________________________________________________

fr i d a y

May 7

Further Study:

“In true science there can be nothing contrary

to the teaching of the word of God, for both have the same Author.

A correct understanding of both will always prove them to be in

harmony.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8,

p. 258. See also The Ministry of Healing, p. 462 and Handbook of

Seventh-day Adventist Theology, vol. 12, pp. 751–783. In light of this

understanding, there should be no hesitation in seeking God’s help

through true science—which is a revelation of His natural laws.

“The sympathy which exists between the mind and the body is very

great. When one is affected, the other responds. The condition of the

mind has much to do with the health of the physical system. If the mind

is free and happy, under a consciousness of right doing and a sense of sat-

isfaction in causing happiness to others, it will create a cheerfulness that

will react upon the whole system, causing a freer circulation of the blood

and a toning up of the entire body. The blessing of God is a healer, and

those who are abundant in benefiting others will realize that wondrous

blessing in their hearts and lives.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the

Church, vol. 4, pp. 60, 61; Counsels on Stewardship, pp. 345, 346.

“We all desire immediate and direct answers to our prayers, and are

tempted to become discouraged when the answer is delayed or comes

in an unlooked-for form. But God is too wise and good to answer our

prayers always at just the time and in just the manner we desire. He will

do more and better for us than to accomplish all our wishes. And because

we can trust His wisdom and love, we should not ask Him to concede to

our will, but should seek to enter into and accomplish His purpose. Our

desires and interests should be lost in His will. These experiences that test

faith are for our benefit. By them it is made manifest whether our faith is

true and sincere, resting on the word of God alone, or whether depending

on circumstances, it is uncertain and changeable. Faith is strengthened by

exercise. We must let patience have its perfect work, remembering that

there are precious promises in the Scriptures for those who wait upon the

Lord.”—Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, pp. 230, 231.

Discussion Questions:

l What is the role of medical science in the healing of the

Christian? Does seeking health and healing from medical science

mean we don’t have faith in God?

l What has been your experience regarding the link between atti-

tudes and emotions and physical health? What have you learned that

could help others use the power of the mind to benefit the body?

l Do you know someone in your church who is sick and in need

of healing? How can you, either as an individual or as part of a

class, help that person in the healing process?

tor

i n s i d e

A Thousand Ways

by er i c Ko F i bo a d i -ag y e K u m

I’m from Ghana, West Africa. I wanted to study in a university, but I

didn’t know which one. Someone told me about Valley View University

(VVU), a Seventh-day Adventist school. I had never heard of the school

or of Seventh-day Adventists before, but after I asked a lot of questions, I

decided to go see the school.

When I walked onto the campus I was amazed. Everyone was so

friendly, so helpful, that I wanted to be a part of this institution. I called

my brothers, who lived abroad, and they encouraged me to apply. They

even promised to help sponsor me. So I applied.

But on the day that I received my acceptance letter from VVU, my

brothers told me that they couldn’t help me. I was so disappointed. I

prayed and fasted about this decision, and I was sure that God wanted me

at VVU. Then suddenly I had no way to pay my school fees.

I talked to my church, and the members agreed to help me the first year.

So I enrolled.

I come from a charismatic home, and the worship style I knew was

far different from the worship services at Valley View. But I felt God’s

presence in the school’s worships, and I realized what a deeply spiritual

school this was.

When help from my home church ran out, I had to earn my own

school fees, a difficult thing in Africa. I was not a baptized Seventh-day

Adventist, but I applied to be a student literature evangelist to earn a

scholarship. I was accepted and sent to Nigeria to work. I loved working

for God and being a part of the action. I didn’t earn enough to pay all my

school fees that summer, but God led me to a government worker who

helped me.

The next summer I returned to Nigeria to canvass. I earned half my

school fees, and I feared that I would have to drop out of school. But again

God provided in small ways, and I could stay.

That semester I gave my life totally to God and was baptized. When I

took my stand for Christ, the people who helped me withdrew their sup-

port. When I thought I had exhausted every means of paying my school

fees, I learned that God has a thousand ways to provide. I’ve learned the

importance of trusting Him for everything, for with Christ standing beside

me, Satan cannot prevail.

Your mission offerings make Christian education possible. Because of

you, I found Christ.

er i c Ko F i bo a d i -ag y e K u m has graduated from Valley View University and is working in

Ghana.

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Missions.

Web site:www.adventistmission.org

L e s s o n

*May 8–14

Rest and Restoration

sa b b a t h af t e r n o o n

Read for This Week’s Study:

Gen. 2:15, Exod. 20:8–11,

23:12, Matt. 11:28–30, Mark 2:27, 6:30–32.

Memory Text:

“Then, because so many people were coming

and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to

them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some

rest’ ” (Mark 6:31, NIV).

bright, young medical student at Loma Linda found himself

burning out. Getting up at four in the morning, working until

midnight, he struggled to keep up with his strenuous curricu-

lum, but to no avail. He fell farther and farther behind.

“In desperation he went to his professor for help. Being an astute

man, the professor recommended that Tom get at least seven hours

of sleep each night, no matter what, and thirty minutes of vigorous

exercise every day. Tom was incredulous, . . . but at last he reluctantly

agreed to give this program a try. After all he was so far down he had

nothing to lose. To his utter amazement his grades began to improve

within just two weeks. By the end of the year he was in the upper

third of his class and in due time successfully completed his medical

training.”—“I’m So Tired,” Hardinge Lifestyle Series (Loma Linda,

Calif.: Loma Linda University School of Health, 1988), pp. 3–5.

Many of us are just like Tom. We all need to have daily rest, as

well as weekly rest in order to achieve optimum health physically,

mentally, spiritually, and socially.

The Week at a Glance:

We need sufficient regular physi-

cal, mental, and emotional rest in order to function at our best.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, May 15.

Su n d a y

May 9

No Time

Many of us live in a very tense and fast-paced environment filled

with so many things to do and so little time to do them. Mother Teresa

said, “I think today the world is upside down, and is suffering so much

because there is very little love in the home, and in family life. We

have no time for our children, we have no time for each other. There

is no time to enjoy each other.”

In some cultures, the drive to get ahead, to make money, to be a

success, dominates everything to the point where marriage, families,

and even health are sacrificed.

Of course, working hard, doing one’s best, and striving to provide for

oneself and one’s family are good; the Bible has little time for slackers

(Prov. 6:9, 13:4, 2 Thess. 3:10). We can, however, take a good thing

too far, and as a result we and the ones we love and care about suffer. So

often we hear about a father who works all the time, arguing that he is

doing it “for his family,” when, in the end, it is the family who is being

hurt by the father’s continued and excessive absence.

Read

Genesis 2:15. What does it say about God’s intention for

humanity regarding work, even before sin?

From the beginning, even in the pre-Fall world, God’s intention

was for humans to work. And to rest from work, as well. Especially

now, as fallen beings thousands of years removed from the tree of life,

we must remember that our bodies have limitations, and, therefore,

rest is vitally important.

Read

Mark 6:30–32, 45, 46. What do these texts say to us about the

need for rest, regardless of what we are doing and how important

our work might be?

Jesus and His disciples took time to rest. He knew that His body

needed time to be refreshed. We, too, need time for daily rest. Persistent

cheating on our sleep produces, in time, physical and emotional loss. No

matter how young, how healthy, or how strong we are, our bodies need

rest, and sooner or later an intemperate lifestyle will catch up to us.

What things drive you? What things motivate you? What things

cause you to work the hardest? Whatever they are, however

noble and good they might be, you need to ask yourself if they

are worth ruining your health over.

_____________________________________________________

Mo n d a y

May 10

The Need for Rest

All of us are aware of the need to rest. We need food, we need

water, and we need rest. So often our bodies themselves give us the

signal that it is time to rest, and so often the signals are loud and clear.

Much of the time, if we would listen to what our bodies tell us, we

would get enough rest. Unfortunately, we so often are caught up in the

hustle and bustle of life, of earning money, of running here and there,

that we don’t listen to our own flesh. How many folk—struck down

by sickness—finally have been forced to rest, and for a long time, too,

who otherwise would have been fine had they listened to what their

own bodies were telling them?

Sooner or later, we will rest—one way or another. The question is,

Why not do it the best way possible?

What

signals does your body send to you, telling you it’s time to slow

down and rest? How well do you listen?

____________________________________________________________________

Every living creature needs time for rest to restore that which has

been used. Consider the word restoration, which means “the act of

returning to an original state or condition.” In adjective form, it means

a “reinvigorating medicine” or “anything that reinvigorates.”

“Sleep, nature’s sweet restorer, invigorates the tired body and prepares

it for the next day’s duties.”—Ellen G. White, Child Guidance, p. 342.

We need to realize our limitations. We cannot do our work in our

own strength. God promises grace to cope with our work. In regular

rest, we permit the Lord to restore our bodies so we will awaken

refreshed, ready to do His will.

Read

Exodus 23:12. What reason is given there for rest?

____________________________________________________________________

The verb translated “refreshed” occurs as a verb only a few times

in the Old Testament, yet it is based on a very common noun, often

translated “soul” (Gen. 2:7), which has the meaning of “life” or “that

which breathes.” In other words, it’s as if the word soul were made

into a verb, and so the idea is that, through resting, we are getting

more life, more breath, more “soul,” as it were. Rest is therefore basic,

even fundamental, to us as living humans, and by denying ourselves

that needed rest, we are denying our basic humanity.

Tu e s d a y

May 11

The Rest in God’s Presence

What

is Jesus’ invitation to all of us? Matt. 11:28–30. What is your

understanding of what Jesus is saying here? More important, how

have you experienced this promise in your own life?

____________________________________________________________________

The rest that Jesus offers here is more than physical rest. It is rest

for the soul. We need to experience the complete rest that Christ

offers us. A deep sleep will suffice for physical rest. A vacation may

give us emotional rest. But where can we find spiritual rest, relief

from the deepest issues of the heart?

Jesus is ready to give spiritual rest to all who come to Him. What

does that rest include?

It includes freedom from the pain and guilt that accompany the

human struggle for acceptance through good works. We can rest in

the promise that we are accepted by God because of Jesus’ perfect

works and certainly not our own imperfect ones. By His grace and

the transforming power of the Spirit, Christians can yield themselves

to Jesus, and He will give them rest. The just shall live by faith (Hab.

2:4, Rom. 1:17, Gal. 3:11). Human effort falls far short from the high

standard that God requires of us. It is so comforting to know that Jesus

paid the penalty for sin and that His righteousness covering us—a

righteousness that exists outside of us but is credited to us by faith—

contains our assurance of eternal life. His perfect life and sacrifice are

our only hope. In Him our soul can find rest.

Jesus speaks not only to those who are encumbered by sin but also

to those who stagger under the burdens of life, whatever they are. God

knows what our struggles are, He knows what our burdens are, and

He offers us to lay them at His feet, trusting in His loving-kindness

and care for us, regardless of our situation. What a rest for our weary

souls when we learn to trust in Him!

All of us need a time and place where we can direct our minds to

God. Prayer, Bible reading, and Christ-centered meditation bring with

them a sense of peace and restoration.

It is in this place of personal worship that one will hear the still, small

Voice of encouragement and hope. This coming apart from the strains

and stresses of life allows time for the Holy Spirit to restore our soul.

How can you better avail yourself of this wonderful promise

offered us in Jesus?

_____________________________________________________

We d n e s d a y

May 12

The Daily Rest

Read Genesis 1. During the days of creation, the evening and the

morning defined each day. God was creating a natural rhythm that

would permit the cycle of work and rest to rejuvenate and restore the

body in a regular fashion.

The human body requires daily rest. Studies on sleep deprivation

show a variety of negative effects. These may include increased risks

of diabetes, obesity, poor school performance, traffic accidents, injuries,

and fatalities—even psychotic behavior. The workday of airline pilots,

air traffic controllers, and resident physicians is strictly regulated, laying

out precisely the length of time for work and the time set aside for rest.

Traditionally, before the convenience of electrical lighting, people natu-

rally would sleep during the hours of darkness and work in the light.

In today’s modern world, we have to guard against the temptation

to work more than is healthful.

Science’s discovery of the circadian rhythm, in which the body

works on a daily 24-hour cycle, with specific release of hormones at

certain times of the day, supports the statement made by Mrs. White,

“Sleep is worth far more before than after midnight. Two hours’ good

sleep before twelve o’clock is worth more than four hours after twelve

o’clock.”—Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 7, p. 224.

Studies performed in sleep laboratories show a need for different

kinds of sleep. Adult sleep requirements range from six to nine hours.

Sleep requirements are met when sleepiness and drowsiness are absent

during the day and there is a sense of well-being and alertness.

People awake for 17 to 19 hours will perform at a level comparable

to those who are intoxicated.

List

some of the factors you think affect your ability to get a good

night’s sleep.

____________________________________________________________________

Some suggestions to help you have better sleep:

• Exercise daily.

• Keep your room at a comfortable temperature.

• Avoid eating for two to three hours before sleeping.

• Avoid tension and excitement before sleep.

• Avoid alcohol, sleeping pills, or caffeine.

How well do you sleep? What practices are you engaged in that

could be hindering your sleep? What changes need you make

in order to better take advantage of this important aspect of

human health?

Th u r s d a y

May 13

The Weekly Rest

Read

Genesis 2:1–3 and Exodus 20:8–11. What do these verses tell us

about just how fundamental the whole idea of rest is?

____________________________________________________________________

God rested on the seventh day, after completing the work of Creation.

The Hebrew verb for “rested” there comes from the same word des-

ignated “Sabbath” (Shabbat). This fact shows just how ingrained into

the fabric of Creation itself the seventh-day Shabbat and the rest it

offers really are. However hard for us to fully grasp, the text makes it

clear that God Himself rested on the Sabbath day.

Jesus

said, “ ‘The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the

Sabbath’ ” (Mark 2:27, NKJV). What was the context of the state-

ment, and what did He mean?

____________________________________________________________________

Though it is so easy to get caught up in rules and regulations, we never

must forget that the Sabbath is a day for our benefit. It is for reflection

and enjoyment of the wonderful gifts our God has given us. It is a time

to contemplate God’s goodness. The Sabbath is a perpetual sign of our

recognition of His love. The good news of the Sabbath is that, through

keeping it, we do not just talk about “resting in Christ,” but we—in a very

real and tangible way—express that rest, showing that we trust in Christ’s

works for us, and not our own, as the way of salvation.

Besides all the spiritual benefits, the Sabbath provides us a time

to step aside from the toil and struggles and stress and fatigue of the

week. Sabbath is God’s way of allowing us, without guilt, to truly

relax, to rest, to take it easy and unwind. Sabbath provides a way for

our bodies and souls to get the rest they so often need.

What is your Sabbath experience? Is it truly a delight, a bless-

ing, a rest? Or, as in the time of Christ, has it become just

another burden? How can you learn to derive all the benefits

possible from this divinely given day of rest?

fr i d a y

May 14

Further Study:

Read Ellen G. White, “Temperance in Labor,”

p. 99, in Counsels on Health.

“Those who make great exertions to accomplish just so much work

in a given time, and continue to labor when their judgment tells them

they should rest, are never gainers. They are living on borrowed capi-

tal. They are expending the vital force which they will need at a future

time. And when the energy they have so recklessly used is demanded,

they fail for want of it. The physical strength is gone, the mental pow-

ers fail. They realize that they have met with a loss, but do not know

what it is. Their time of need has come, but their physical resources

are exhausted. Everyone who violates the laws of health must some-

time be a sufferer to a greater or less degree. God has provided us with

constitutional force, which will be needed at different periods of our

lives. If we recklessly exhaust this force by continual over-taxation,

we shall sometime be the losers.”—Ellen G. White, Child Guidance,

pp. 397, 398.

Discussion Questions:

l What about your local society and culture? Is it one that

pushes and drives people to work, work, and work? Or is it one

that is more relaxed? How can you learn to find the right balance

in regard to rest in whatever culture you live?

l Some folk might have a hard time sleeping because of one

thing: a guilty conscience. If that is you, what has Jesus done

at the Cross that could help you there? At the same time, what

might you need to do to make things right and ease your con-

science?

l Bring to class some reputable scientific research on the need

and the benefits of rest and discuss how you can benefit from

this knowledge.

l How has the Sabbath rest been a blessing to you? Share some

of these blessings with others in class. Focus not just on the spiri-

tual benefits but on the physical ones, as well.

l Dwell more on the amazing fact of God Himself resting on the

seventh day of Creation. What message is there for us? How are

we to understand this? How does it help us better understand

how important Sabbath rest really is?

i n s i d e

New Life in Christ

by do l g o r s u r e n ul z i i -or s h i h

Doogii wept and prayed in the temple in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of

Mongolia. Her husband had died, and for 18 days she prayed to the idols

so that his next life would be better and that her grief would subside.

But she returned home to learn that her eldest son had died. She returned

to the temple and grieved and prayed for a month. This time she bought a

small idol so she could pray for protection for her remaining children.

Her grief and depression were almost unbearable. One day a friend

visited and saw how depressed Doogii was. “Why are you still grieving?”

the friend asked. “There is a God who loves you.”

Doogii’s friend invited her to attend church with her the following

Sunday, where the people prayed for Doogii. Doogii was impressed that

these people really cared for her, and she continued to attend the church.

In time she accepted Jesus as her Savior and joined the church. Once again

she was happy and at peace.

She met a cattle farmer who lived in the countryside, and the two mar-

ried and eventually moved to the nearby small town.

One day Doogii met a young woman who invited her to attend a small

group meeting. Doogii went and enjoyed the deep Bible study with these

people. Her husband went to the small group meetings with her. The

couple then attended evangelistic meetings, and Doogii realized she had

known so little about God before. Following the meetings she joined the

Adventist church by profession of faith. Her husband is studying the Bible

with the Global Mission pioneer who leads their small congregation.

“I’m happier now than I’ve ever been in my life,” Doogii says. “I know

that Jesus loves me and accepts me as His daughter.” Doogii shares her

faith with others and invites them to visit the small congregation of 30 or

40 members that meets in an apartment. “We’re growing, and soon we’ll

have to find a larger place to meet,” she adds, smiling.

Doogii’s joy will be full when her husband and children commit their

lives to God, but she knows that God is leading, and she can rest in Him.

Your mission offerings support the growing work in Mongolia. Thank

you for your support.

do l g o r s u r e n ul z i i -or s h i h shares her faith in Hotol, Mongolia.

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Missions.

Web site:www.adventistmission.org

tor

L e s s o n

*May 15–21

The Atmosphere of Praise

sa b b a t h af t e r n o o n

Read for This Week’s Study:

Gen. 1:1, 2, 9–12, 20–26;

Ps. 104:29; Dan. 5:23; Luke 15:7; Rev. 21:4.

Memory Text:

“The Lord God formed the man from the dust

of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and

the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7, NIV).

few years ago, a family of five went to a cabin in the moun-

tains for a short Christmas vacation. One evening they shut

all the windows tight in order to keep cold air from coming

in, and they turned the furnace on full blast in order to keep the cabin

warm through the bitter night.

The only problem? The whole family died because the furnace had

used up all the oxygen in the air!

As most of us know, we can live a few weeks without food, a few

days without water, but only a few minutes without air.

Air, clear pure air, is vital to our existence. Impure, polluted air is

the cause of many acute and chronic disease conditions often attrib-

uted to other causes. Every year millions of people, especially chil-

dren, suffer terribly from breathing polluted air.

With oxygen going to every organ of our body, it is no wonder we

need air as fresh and as clean as possible.

The good news about fresh air is that not only is it free, in most

cases people can have access to it.

The Week at a Glance:

Clean, fresh air is a vital com-

ponent in maintaining good health, and we should do all in our

power to breathe as much clean air as possible.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, May 22.

Su n d a y

May 16

The Creation

Read

Genesis 1:1, 2. From these texts, how would you describe this

primeval earth?

____________________________________________________________________

The earth at that point was obscure; there was darkness, a void,

formlessness. However difficult for us to understand exactly what was

present or what was happening, it is clear that there was no created life

at this time on the earth. Yet, even amid this primeval chaos, God’s

presence is made manifest. This is revealed in the words, “and the

Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” We can, for now,

only speculate on what that means.

According to the texts, over the next few days, God began the process

of preparing the earth for life. Genesis 1:3–10 shows us part of this

process. Notice the recurrence of separation and division. God sepa-

rates light from darkness, God separates the waters of the firmament,

God separates the land from water. All the way through, there are these

major divisions of these prime elements. After these initial divisions

have been completed, God then brings forth the first life on earth.

Read

Genesis 1:9–12 and Genesis 1:20–26. What does God create

next? What conditions were needed in order for this to happen;

that is, what was needed in order for this part of creation to be

able to survive?

____________________________________________________________________

God had a great master plan for His creation. It called for many

types of living things—things that would require constant support to

survive. As the Creation story unfolds, it is clear that God planned

for many of His created beings to live on dry land. It also is clear

that He knew that these creatures would need oxygen in some form

for sustaining life. We see this plan realized on day two of Creation,

with the separation of the waters and the creation of the atmosphere.

The space between the waters above and below was thus prepared to

receive the rest of the creation that was to follow.

The Creation account teaches that the Creation was a very

orderly, planned, and meticulously executed event. It leaves no

room for chance of any kind. What does that tell us about the

character and power of God? How could this realization about

God help you in whatever struggles you might be going through

now?

Mo n d a y

May 17

The Necessity of Air

In the creation of the animals that populated the earth, one thing

they shared in common was the need for oxygen to sustain life. Air

is a combination of gases in which oxygen forms about 21 percent of

the total product. (Our entire atmosphere weighs about five thousand

trillion tons!) Other component gases include nitrogen, argon, helium,

hydrogen, and small amounts of trace gases. The amount of oxygen

in the air is the ideal percentage for the breathing requirements of the

creatures God made. It is another testimony to the carefulness and

precision that God used in creating us.

What

was the unique way God used air in the creation of Adam?

Gen. 2:7. How does this account differ from the account of how

God created the other creatures? What does this tell us about

ourselves, about our uniqueness in the eyes of God?

____________________________________________________________________

Air obviously was important in the creation of all animals, in that

all these animals need air to exist. Yet, the creation of humanity was

different. God “breathed” into Adam the “breath” of life. Air, life-

giving air, was certainly a component of this miraculous act of Crea-

tion, for right after God breathed this breath into him, Adam became

a living soul. When Adam was first formed, with all his organs, with

all his flesh, with all the physical components needed for life, he still

was lifeless, kind of a corpse. One more thing was needed, and that

was life itself, which only God, the Life-Giver, could provide.

God did just that, and we ourselves partake every day of this gift of

life. Indeed, the gift of life, carried with that breath, has been shared

by everyone in the human race since then. Through our first father,

Adam, the breath of God has been passed on to all of us. And through

the act of breathing, we keep that original breath of life alive in us.

Each breath we take should remind us of that original breath breathed

into Adam!

Take a deep breath. Unless you have respiratory problems, it

seems so simple, so natural, so easy, and yet it is really a miracle

from God—a legacy passed on to us from Eden. How thankful

are you for the gift of life? Why wait until your life is threatened

before you stop taking it for granted?

Tu e s d a y

May 18

The Air Over Our Heads

“Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed

anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things” (Acts

17:25, NKJV).

Look

up the following texts: Daniel 5:23, Psalms 104:29, 146:4. What

do they tell us about the link between life and breath?

____________________________________________________________________

The air has many protective qualities. On a global level, the air and

its suspended water vapor protect the earth and its people from solar

radiation and from the cold vacuum of outer space. The air recycles

water and many chemicals to moderate the climate. Within this atmo-

spheric envelope, life is found over a very wide range of altitudes

and temperatures. Some life-forms require a high level of light and

warmth. Other things require only a little light and very little heat to

survive. Some animals require large amounts of oxygen, others only

a scant amount.

On a more personal level, high-quality fresh air is the best suited

to transfer oxygen to the blood through the lungs and to carry off the

carbon dioxide that the body produces. This high-quality air is most

available in natural environments, where trees, plants, and flowing

waters are found. The plants absorb the carbon dioxide in exchange

for renewing the oxygen content of the air.

We recall that God placed Adam and Eve in a garden setting sur-

rounded by plants of all types and watered by a river that flowed

through the Garden and became the headwater for the great rivers of

the antediluvian earth.

The message for us, then, is that in order to obtain optimal health,

fresh air is crucial. We should seek to do all that we can in order to

breathe the cleanest and freshest air possible.

A person carries about two quarts of oxygen in the blood, lungs,

and body tissues at any given time. Every cell in our bodies requires

air in order to work, and when that supply is cut off, life cannot exist.

Indeed, brain cells deprived of oxygen for more than four minutes

begin to die, and the person will, as well.

How often do you take advantage of fresh air? What changes

can you make that would give you more access to it? Sometimes

it would take nothing more than opening a window.

We d n e s d a y

May 19

Bad Air, Good Air

One of the great challenges that many people face, especially those

living in cities, is that the air often is dirty and polluted. Other factors

working against fresh air include tobacco smoke, especially when it is

recirculated in office buildings. Breathing dirty air can lead to numer-

ous health problems, including migraine headaches, nausea, vomiting,

and eye and respiratory ailments. In some parts of the world, millions

of people, especially children, suffer life-threatening illnesses from

breathing bad air, often from poorly ventilated cooking facilities.

In contrast, good clean air usually may be found in abundance in

natural outdoor environments, especially around evergreen trees, green

plants in mountains and forests, near moving waters such as oceans,

lakes, and waterfalls, and after rain. It is estimated that the algae in the

ocean provides almost 90 percent of the oxygen in our atmosphere, with

the rest coming from plants. Live plants in your own home can help to

clean the air there and remove carbon dioxide.

How important, then, that we do our best to breathe clean air.

Exercise outside, as opposed to indoors, especially in the morning, if

possible. In addition, especially for those who work inside, it is impor-

tant to be able to take breaks at regular intervals in order to get outside

and breathe fresh air, if possible. After just a few moments outside, a

person often will feel refreshed and reinvigorated. It’s so much better

to sleep at night with a window open, even just a little, so that we can

enjoy the benefits of fresh air while sleeping.

“In order to have good blood, we must breathe well. Full, deep inspira-

tions of pure air, which fill the lungs with oxygen, purify the blood. They

impart to it a bright color and send it, a life-giving current, to every part

of the body. Good respiration soothes the nerves, stimulates the appetite,

and aids digestion. And it induces sound, refreshing sleep.

“The lungs should be allowed the greatest freedom possible. Their

capacity is developed by free action; it diminishes if they are cramped

and compressed. Ill effects follow the practice so common, especially

in sedentary pursuits, of stooping at one’s work. In this position it is

impossible to breathe deeply. Superficial breathing soon becomes a

habit, and the lungs lose their power to expand.”—Ellen G. White,

The Ministry of Health and Healing, pp. 151, 152.

Our personal situations vary; some folk have a lifestyle and situa-

tion in which about all they ever breathe is fresh, clean air; others, due

to where they live and work, might find fresh air a precious commod-

ity that they covet as much as a thirsty person does water.

Whatever your situation, how important it is for the best health to

take advantage of fresh air when you can get it.

Read Genesis 1:26. What does this imply about our responsibility

to the created world we have been given?

Th u r s d a y

May 20

The Atmosphere of Heaven

The study so far this week has emphasized the physical properties

of the atmosphere that God created for His family on earth.

We use the word atmosphere to describe not only the physical

environment of air that surrounds us but also the attitudes, feelings,

emotions, support, and affirmation of those around us, which create

an atmosphere that may be positive or negative.

“Every soul is surrounded by an atmosphere of its own—an

atmosphere, it may be, charged with the life-giving power of faith,

courage, and hope, and sweet with the fragrance of love. Or it may

be heavy and chill with the gloom of discontent and selfishness, or

poisonous with the deadly taint of cherished sin. By the atmosphere

surrounding us, every person with whom we come in contact is

consciously or unconsciously affected.”—Ellen G. White, Christ’s

Object Lessons, p. 339.

One may thrive or die, depending upon the nature of such atmo-

spheres. Let us now consider the atmosphere of heaven—a spiritual

atmosphere of praise and joy—and study the effect it can have on the

lives of believers here and now on earth.

What

can you learn about the atmosphere of heaven from these

texts? Job 38:6, 7; Pss. 103:20–22; 148:2; Luke 15:7; Rev. 21:4.

____________________________________________________________________

The atmosphere in heaven is clearly one of joy and praise to God.

Several of the texts above call for the angelic host to praise God. It

is a rich experience to see in the mind’s eye these mighty beings of

light gathered about the throne of God in praise for His love, mercy,

and grace. Heaven must be a place where joy, praise, and happiness

reign.

The good news is that we may, by accepting the abiding presence

of Christ and the Father in our lives (John 14:23), begin to experience

these things now. We are called to action, to breathe the pure air of

heaven now and be surrounded by the atmosphere of the heavenly

home as we complete our sojourn on this earth.

What kind of atmosphere surrounds you? That is, your words,

your demeanor, your attitudes; are they more reflective of the

lowlands of earth or of the promises of heaven? What does your

answer tell you about yourself and your need to change?

fr i d a y

May 21

Further Study:

Read Ellen G. White, “Not Judging, but Doing,”

pp. 123–152, in Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing; “Growing

Up Into Christ,” pp. 67–75, in Steps to Christ; “General Hygiene,”

pp. 151–154, in The Ministry of Health and Healing.

“God calls upon His people to arise and come out of the chilling,

frosty atmosphere in which they have been living, to shake off the

impressions and ideas that have frozen up the impulses of love and

held them in selfish inactivity. He bids them come up from their low,

earthly level and breathe in the clear, sunny atmosphere of heaven.”

—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 607.

“Those with whom Christ dwells will be surrounded with a divine

atmosphere. Their white robes of purity will be fragrant with perfume

from the garden of the Lord.”—Ellen G. White, Thoughts From the

Mount of Blessing, p. 135.

“Although there may be a tainted, corrupted atmosphere around us,

we need not breathe its miasma, but may live in the pure air of heaven.

We may close every door to impure imaginings and unholy thoughts by

lifting the soul into the presence of God through sincere prayer. Those

whose hearts are open to receive the support and blessing of God will

walk in a holier atmosphere than that of earth and will have constant

communion with heaven.”—Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 99.

Discussion Questions:

l What is the general quality of the air where you live? If you

live in the country, it is probably very good, and you can breathe

plenty of it. If in the city, what challenges do you face?

l The question of air pollution is a serious one. What can you

do as an individual, even on a very small scale, that could help

with this problem? What are our obligations as a church to try

to help alleviate this problem?

l “In fellowship with God, with Christ, and with holy angels,

they are surrounded with a heavenly atmosphere, an atmosphere

that brings health to the body, vigor to the intellect, and joy to

the soul.”—Ellen G. White, Gospel Workers, p. 513. How can the

class assist each other in realizing this goal?

l Do you know people who have been suffering some sort of

health problems due to poor air quality? If so, how could you

help? Why not help them spend some time in a place where the

air is pure and fresh?

l Bring a health professional to class who could explain in more

detail the benefits of fresh air.

tor

i n s i d e

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Missions.

Web site:www.adventistmission.org

My Brother’s Wish

Ashika lives in Fiji. She grew up in an eastern Indian home where

many gods were worshiped. Her parents had divorced, and Ashika and her

brother lived with their grandparents. Then her father married a Seventh-

day Adventist woman, and Ashika and her brother were introduced to

Christ. Soon the brother and sister gave their hearts to God and were

baptized into the Adventist Church. Their choice to follow Christ caused

a deep rift within their extended family, but the teenagers were deeply

devoted to God.

Then Ashika’s brother became sick and was diagnosed with bone can-

cer. Ashika stayed with her brother in the hospital whenever she could.

One day he told her, “I won’t live to become a pastor, Ashika. You must

take my place.”

Ashika was devastated by her brother’s death. Her brother’s last wish

troubled her, for she had planned to become a teacher. She wasn’t inter-

ested in studying theology. What can I—an Indian woman—do with a

theology degree? she wondered.

Her parents encouraged her to apply to study theology at Fulton College,

so she did. She hoped that the school of theology wouldn’t accept her. But

her parents were praying that God’s will would be done in her life. When

she learned that she had been accepted into the theology department, she

realized that this was God’s will. She surrendered to God.

“Now I know that this wasn’t just my brother’s wish; this is God’s

calling,” she says. “I rest in God’s will and wait for Him to show me His

plan.”

Ashika’s decision to study theology in Fiji means stepping out against

a culture in which women are not encouraged to be leaders in the church.

But she is willing to follow the path God is laying for her. She is certain

that He will guide her all the way.

Roughly half the population of Fiji is

Indian; only a handful are Christians. Pray

for this largely unreached population. And

remember that your mission offerings support

evangelism in Fiji and around the world.

as h i K a ch a n d (left) has graduated from Fulton College

and is working in Fiji.

L e s s o n

*May 22–28

Temperance

sa b b a t h af t e r n o o n

Read for This Week’s Study:

Gen. 9:20–27, Prov. 20:1,

23:31–35, 1 Cor. 6:19, 10:31, 2 Pet. 1:5–9.

Memory Text:

“Let your moderation be known unto all men.

The Lord is at hand” (Philippians 4:5).

e had been a respected judge, but he now lived in poverty, the

victim of alcohol abuse. Because of this horrible addiction, which

robbed him not only of his dignity but of his family and his liveli-

hood, he had exchanged his robes of judicial office for the rags of a tramp.

What a tragic ending to such a prosperous and useful life!

In 2007, newscasts were filled with the tragic news of the unnecessary

death of a young woman who died from drinking too much water!

Water? Yes. As part of a radio contest, she drank an excessive amount

of water and died later that day from water intoxication. Water, although

essential for life and usually harmless, can kill when taken in excess.

This week we study about temperance in a world that regards excess

as success. The illustrations above show that unhealthful things ought

to be completely avoided, and healthful substances and practices

should be used in moderation. In so many cases, moderation is the key

element so often missing.

Let’s take a look at what true temperance is about and why the Lord

wants us to be temperate.

The Week at a Glance:

As human beings, we have been

bought with the blood of Jesus. Hence, we have a moral respon-

sibility to take care of our bodies, and temperance is the key to

fulfilling that responsibility.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, May 29.

Su n d a y

May 23

The Bible’s First Drunk

What would you like your legacy to be? More specifically, for what

would you like to be remembered after your death? That you were rich,

popular, or politically powerful? What are the things that really matter?

All through the Bible we find characters who have left legacies.

Some very good, some very bad, and some a mixed bag.

Look at Noah. Noah probably is remembered best as the first and

not-so-successful evangelist. He preached for 120 years and only a

handful of human converts chose to take refuge in the ark, and those

were of his own immediate family.

God’s view of Noah, however, was very positive. Amid the evil and

wickedness of the antediluvian world, “Noah found favor in the eyes

of the Lord” (Gen. 6:8, NIV).

How

did Noah find favor with God? Why? Gen. 6:9, 22; 7:1.

____________________________________________________________________

Despite

Noah’s faithfulness and obedience and doing all that God has

asked, there’s another story that was recorded for us, as well. Read

Genesis 9:20–27. What lessons can we take away from this sordid tale?

____________________________________________________________________

Noah achieved the notoriety of being the first named drunkard in

the Bible. How sad that a man who did so much good for the Lord,

who had been given so much responsibility, and who had been so

highly regarded would fall as he did.

The mind is the channel for most communication, and it must be

kept free from toxins and substances that may cloud reason and judg-

ment. Noah’s experience is a warning and example for our instruction

that even the “best” among us, even the strongest and most faithful,

are not immune to temptation and even to outright sin. Drinking

would have been bad enough, but it appears that Noah went on a

binge. If Noah could fall like that, what about the rest of us?

Do you know a well-respected church leader who has fallen in

one way or another? It always hurts when someone we look up

to stumbles and falls and disappoints us. How can we learn to

extend the promises of grace even to those who, like us, really

do not deserve it?

Mo n d a y

May 24

Alcohol Today

In the first decade of the twenty-first century, alcohol has been

implicated in almost 1.8 million deaths per year; this translates into

3.2 percent of total deaths worldwide. The amount of alcohol con-

sumed is rising steadily. Binge drinking (the consumption of four to

five successive drinks in males and three to four successive drinks in

females) is growing alarmingly among adolescents and young adults.

This trend shows no sign of abating. Alcohol has consequences

through intoxication, drunkenness, dependence (addiction), and other

chemical effects on the body.

What

instruction, experience, and warnings are found in the Bible

that warn us against alcohol? Judg. 13:2–8, Prov. 20:1, 23:31–35,

Isa. 5:11, Eph. 5:18.

____________________________________________________________________

Interestingly, long before any scientific description of the negative

effects of alcohol on the fetus (fetal alcohol syndrome), Samson’s

mother was warned not to take alcohol during her pregnancy. Solomon

also warns against the effects of alcohol, specifically wine and beer.

From his observation and possibly even experience, he describes how

alcohol changes and modifies behavior, usually leading to regrets.

Isaiah graphically describes how inappropriately priests behave when

intoxicated, confirming the warnings given by the other writers. Paul,

too, has words of caution regarding alcohol.

The biblical descriptions of alcohol consumption mostly reveal

inappropriate and undesirable behaviors and warn against these.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring

lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). We can

be sure that the use of alcohol is one of the devil’s greatest traps. How

many millions of lives have been ruined over the centuries through use

of this dangerous drug, which is poison to both the body and the mind.

How much better for ourselves and our loved ones were we to avoid

this dangerous trap completely, with no compromise at all.

Who does not know people whose lives have been hurt by alco-

hol, either through their own use or through the use of others.

Why take a chance for yourself? What steps can you take to

help ensure that you, or your loved ones, never start down this

dangerous path, which promises nothing good but only sorrow

and heartache?

Tu e s d a y

May 25

“But Isn’t Alcohol Good for the Heart?”

Since the early 1970s, debate has raged about the benefits of wine and

alcohol on heart health. Much has been written in the lay and scientific

press about studies done in France on this issue. In recent years, reanaly-

sis of the data on the French population and further follow-up have cast

significant doubt on the whole theory. Vested interests in the alcoholic

beverage industry have kept the subject in public view. Many church

members are wondering whether their health is suffering through their

not drinking alcohol on a regular basis.

There is no literature at all to show any apparent or real benefit of

alcohol to the health of young people. The claim of apparent cardio-

vascular health benefits of alcohol in the middle-aged population has

been successfully challenged in recent scientific literature.

In the studies that showed apparent benefit, individuals who had been

previous alcohol drinkers were included in the control (non-drinking)

groups; some of these had stopped drinking because of alcohol-related

health problems. These same control groups, in general, were in poorer

health than the drinkers. Reanalysis of the data, correcting for these

defects in study design, showed no demonstrable health benefits to

moderate drinking, compared to the nondrinkers. Further, more analysis

of the groups studied showed that those in the moderate drinking group

who originally had been thought to have better health outcomes differed

in other ways from the control group. They had better diets, exercised

regularly, were of a higher socioeconomic status, and had better access

to healthcare. This set of circumstances is well-known to be associated

with improved health and longevity. The benefits in these studies were

not due to moderate drinking but to other lifestyle practices.

How blessed we have been to have a health message that has warned

us in detail of the ravages of these poisons, even before the epidemiolo-

gists did. How dangerous it is to seek what turns out to be a nonexistent

health benefit in exchange for a wide spectrum of dangerous effects of

alcohol. These range from impairment of motor skills and judgment to

the potential destruction caused by trauma, violence, accidents, domes-

tic violence, cirrhosis, cancer, addiction, and even dementia.

Even just one measure of alcohol impairs neurological function and

may even trigger alcohol dependence. Most important, alcohol impairs

our ability to make sound judgments and respond to the Holy Spirit.

Who hasn’t seen people make utter fools of themselves, or even worse,

through alcohol use?

Read 1 Corinthians 10:31. How could this apply to the topic at

hand? On a more personal note, how can you take that princi-

ple and apply it to your own life? What changes might you need

to make in order to better manifest what the Bible says here?

_____________________________________________________

We d n e s d a y

May 26

Temperance in All Things

Temperance sometimes appears to be an outdated word. We often

equate it with movements and organizations that focus particularly

on alcohol and tobacco. We think of the old songs promoted by these

movements and sung by our early church, warning young women

about the disgusting habits of those who chew and spit tobacco. We

almost caricature the whole issue, and we avoid mention of the word

in our sophisticated age.

It sometimes is thought easier not even to talk about temperance.

While we fail to talk about and instruct in temperance, some in our

church are being overcome by things that were once thought to be

problems only of the world.

Read

2 Peter 1:5–9. How should these words be applied to all areas

of our life, particularly when it comes to our health habits? How

can we take this biblical admonishment and turn it into reality

for ourselves?

____________________________________________________________________

Temperance is so much more than not smoking cigarettes, taking ille-

gal drugs, drinking alcohol, or even tea, coffee, and soft drinks. And that

is because even good things, when taken to excess, can cause problems.

What are your work habits? Do you keep reasonable hours? Is there

time for God, family, recreation, physical fitness, and service to others?

How much time do you spend sleeping, or are you working all the

time? Or, on the other hand, do you sleep too much? Too much sleep,

as well as too little, can have negative health effects.

What about diet? Maybe you do not eat pork or even chicken, but

are you piling your plate so high with food that you barely can get up

from the table when done?

We know sunlight is good for us. But too much can be a cancer-

causing agent. Exercise, too, is important. Many do not get enough,

while too much can hurt your body. Even sexuality, while a gift from

God, can be taken to excess, with negative side effects.

Ellen G. White caught the essence of true temperance with this

simple statement: “True temperance teaches us to dispense entirely

with everything hurtful and to use judiciously that which is healthful.”

—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 562.

Look at all areas of your life. How temperate are you? In what

areas do you need to change? Might you even now be suffer-

ing some negative effects from wrong practices? Why not seek

some help in making needed changes?

Th u r s d a y

May 27

Bought With a Price

The philosophy of many today is that our bodies belong to us, and we

can do with them as we please. Some may justify this approach even

further by adding the argument that in so living they harm no one but

themselves. We know, though, that this kind of reasoning is so wrong.

What

are ways in which the intemperance of others has hurt you or

someone you know? Or, even more to the point, how might your

intemperate actions hurt others?

The Bible talks of the importance of the body as a dwelling place.

This abode is not only for our own benefit, thoughts, plans, and

actions; our bodies are, in fact, temples of God. What a privilege and

responsibility. Sometimes we are more caring of the houses in which

we live than our own bodies.

Why

should we take care of our bodies? What theme comes from the

following texts that answers this important question for us? Why

do these texts make sense only if God created us, as opposed to

our being the chance results of purposeless cosmic forces? John

2:19–21; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20.

Jesus referred to His own body as a temple. Paul emphasizes this

theme often and expands on it further by pointing out that we do not

belong to ourselves. “You are not your own; you were bought at a

price. Therefore honor God with your body” (1 Cor. 6:19, 20, NIV).

What a price was paid for our redemption. Only when we con-

template the Cross, and what happened there, can we even begin to

understand our value and our worth before God. This thought alone

should help us understand the sacred responsibility we have to take

care of ourselves, not just spiritually but physically, as well.

God emptied heaven and allowed the blood of Jesus to be spilled

for our redemption. We do not belong to ourselves; we have been

redeemed and belong to God and owe Him our all, including faithful

stewardship in the use of our bodies.

Dwell more on the Cross and what Jesus did for us. Why should

that motivate us in all that we do? If you truly believe that

Christ, the Lord, died for your sins so that you can have the

promise of eternal life, shouldn’t that take front and center in

your life? How should this wonderful truth motivate you to take

better care of your body temple?

_____________________________________________________

fr i d a y

May 28

Further Study:

Read Ellen G. White, “Helping the Tempted,”

pp. 161–169, and “Working for the Intemperate,” pp. 171–182 in The

Ministry of Healing.

Despite the growing problem of obesity in many parts of the world,

gluttony is encouraged and accepted. Type 2 diabetes is becoming

more of a problem because of diet, obesity, and lack of exercise,

affecting even teenagers. Addiction to Internet activities and pornog-

raphy has fostered unthinkable cases of violence and sexual abuse.

Tobacco continues to be the largest single cause of preventable

death throughout the world—over five million deaths per year. There

are warnings on the cigarette boxes; these go unheeded by many.

Information is not preventive if we do not act on it.

God has given, through various sources, consistent guidance on

how to be healthy, happy, and holy. Blessed we will be if we follow

the counsel.

“ ‘Have faith in the Lord your God, and you will be upheld; have faith

in his prophets and you will be successful’ ” (2 Chron. 20:20, NIV).

“There are few who realize as they should how much their habits

of diet have to do with their health, their character, their usefulness

in this world, and their eternal destiny. The appetite should ever be in

subjection to the moral and intellectual powers. The body should be

servant to the mind, and not the mind to the body.”—Ellen G. White,

Child Guidance, p. 398.

Discussion Questions:

l Look at this quote taken from Friday’s study: “There are

few who realize as they should how much their habits of diet

have to do with their health, their character, their usefulness in

this world, and their eternal destiny.” What does this mean in

practical terms?

l How does the society in which you live impact attitudes toward

temperance? Does it encourage temperance, or does it promote

attitudes that make temperance seem outdated? Why is it impor-

tant to be aware of these influences, and, if needed, how can you

learn to help others, especially the young, be persuaded by them?

l If possible, have a health expert speak in class about the right

balance of things like diet, exercise, sleep, and sunlight.

l Some people have the mentality that if a little is good for you,

then a lot must be even better. For example, if a little salt is good

for the body, then a lot must be even better for it. What’s wrong

with that kind of thinking?

tor

i n s i d e

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Missions.

Web site:www.adventistmission.org

Another Power

by Jo e s i e du r a n g o

Tay Juan walked through the village with his spear in one hand and his

charms in the other. These were the signs of his power. He claimed to heal

the sick or appease the spirits with slain chickens or a slaughtered pig.

When tribal conflicts arose, Tay Juan restored peace.

As Sulads, student missionaries from Mountain View College, we had

been warned about the powers of darkness we would face in the village.

We knew that victory came only through a constant and close connection

with Jesus. My partner and I prayed for God’s strength and the Holy Spirit

to boldly face Tay Juan and the powers of darkness.

When I finally met Tay Juan, his dignified bearing reminded me of

Elisha, but the smell of alcohol and the smoke from his cigarette told me

otherwise. “I am so happy that you have come to teach my people,” he

said. “You have risked your lives to come here. You sacrifice your own

needs for the sake of others. I, too, will learn from you.”

I felt so humble realizing that God had gone before us and had tamed

the devil.

Tay Juan calls my partner and me his children. When we warned him

of the dangers of tobacco and palm wine, he listened. “Thank you for

telling me this,” he said. “I didn’t know that these things could destroy

my body.”

One evening he came to hear the children sing during our worship ser-

vice. He loved the beautiful songs and asked for more. Tay Juan began

attending worship every day. He listened to the songs and messages from

God’s Word.

And when two pastors came to baptize some believers in our village, we

were surprised to see Tay Juan join the line!

Tay Juan gave his heart to Christ. One day he came to our cottage car-

rying a knife and a sword. “These weapons were my power, my protection

from accidents and enemies,” he began. “But I have a stronger power now

and don’t need these any longer.” We prayed that God’s protection would

go with Tay Juan.

Tay Juan continues to heal the sick, not with incantations or sacrificial

chickens, but with prayers to the Great Physician, Jesus.

Jo e s i e du r a n g o served as a teacher in the Tubakon Literacy Center in the mountains of

Mindanao, southern Philippines.

L e s s o n

*May 29–June 4

Integrity: Wholeness and

Holiness

sa b b a t h af t e r n o o n

Read for This Week’s Study:

Gen. 39:6–12; 1 Sam. 24:1–10;

Dan. 6:1–10; Matt. 4:1–11; Rom. 1:26, 27; Eph. 3:14–21.

Memory Text:

“In everything set them an example by doing what is

good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness

of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose

you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about

us” (Titus 2:7, 8, NIV).

he preacher was being distracted by noisy children. To make

matters worse, they were his own. Finally, he had to stop preach-

ing and tell the children they would be punished when the service

was over. Silence descended on not only the children but everyone. The

sermon was completed, the service ended, and Sabbath lunch was a

delight. Visitors laughed and relaxed, and it was a happy Sabbath.

That evening a pleasant euphoria came over the household. The

little daughter, feeling perhaps the freedom of relaxation, came to her

preacher dad. “Daddy?” she said. “Yes, dear?” he responded. “Today,

you promised to punish me, and you didn’t. You told a lie.”

No question, integrity is a lot easier to talk about than to display.

Even the best of us find ourselves easily compromised unless we are

careful. Truly in the littlest things it is so easy to slip.

This week we will take a look at this topic and how it impacts our

lives on so many levels.

The Week at a Glance:

Moral integrity impacts our health—

spiritually, mentally, and physically.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, June 5.

Su n d a y

May 30

Jesus in the Wilderness

Compromise is so easy, isn’t it? Especially as one gets older, things

do not often appear so black and white as they once did. We give in

a little here, a little there, and hold firm from our new position. Then,

over time, we give in a little here, a little there, and hold firm from

our newest position. Then, over time, from this latest position, we

give a little here, a little there, and then hold firm. Before long, we

find ourselves in a place that we once never would have dreamed we

would be in. That is what compromise is all about.

And though sometimes we need to loosen up a bit and be willing

to give here and there, oftentimes we do so on the very things that we

should not budge on at all!

Read

Matthew 4:1–11. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by

Satan, what were the three avenues of temptation through which

Satan approached Him? How did Jesus refute those temptations,

and what can we take away from this account for ourselves?

____________________________________________________________________

Satan found Jesus an impregnable wall. No matter what he tried to

do, he failed to get Jesus to compromise on anything. Jesus was as

impregnable as the Great Wall of China had been for centuries. Only

better. And that was because the Great Wall was once breached. What

happened? Someone bribed the gatekeeper! All that work, all that

masonry, all that stone became almost useless when one single guard

stopped doing what he was supposed to.

Yes, compromise is easy. Too easy. Satan will work through our

appetite, through our presumption and pride, and through our desire

for worldly things, through any avenue he can in order to lead us into

sin, to get us to violate our integrity, and to push us away from Jesus.

We not only need to be aware of his devices, we need to know how to

claim God’s promises and not be seduced into doing what we know

is wrong. Only through a constant and firm reliance on the power of

God, and a willingness to die to self, can we overcome.

In what areas of your life have you compromised what you

know is right? How did you feel the first time you did it? Does

it bother you less now than at first? Or does it not even bother

you at all anymore?

Mo n d a y

May 31

Maintaining Integrity

There are so many temptations out there, temptations that can so

often lead to moral compromise. How easy it is for a traveling staff

person to pad the expense account. How easy for a man to sneak a

few looks at Internet pornography. How easy for children to lie to

their parents. How easy for folk to cheat on their taxes. How easy to

overindulge in food and drink. How easy to cheat in school. How easy

to . . . and the list goes on, and on, and on.

Read

the following accounts. In what ways could these men have

so easily violated their integrity? What can we learn from these

stories? As you read each account, think of the background to

these temptations, think of all the pressure on these men to com-

promise, think about how easily they could have rationalized

another choice.

Gen. 39:6–12

____________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________

1 Sam. 24:1–10

____________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_____________

Dan. 6:1–10

____________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_____________

If we are honest with ourselves, many of us will admit we are devi-

ous or at least less than transparent in many of our dealings. Sometimes

we will not tell a lie, but we do not exactly convey the truth. We may

believe a situation is not helped by openness. Such behavior can be

found in many areas of life. What are ways in which you may have

chosen expediency over forthrightness? Why is it so easy to do?

Think about a nonbiblical character, either from history, from

the news, or from a personal acquaintance, whom you deem as

a person of integrity. What are the traits this person has that

you wish you had? How can you seek to emulate those traits

better in your own life?

_____________________________________________________

Tu e s d a y

June 1

Integrity in Our Spiritual Lives

A young man purchased a pleasure boat with a nice little motor

and trailer. The unit appeared clean and satisfactory, and—being

purchased secondhand—it was not too expensive. Eager to try out his

new acquisition, he took some friends and rode out to the public slip

and launched the boat. It ran well, and the group made their way to a

small island off the mainland in Lake Ontario.

Beaching the little boat, they explored the island and returned to

the boat to head home. A short distance out, a splashing sound alerted

them to the fact that they were taking on water. Quickly, the boat

capsized, dumping the three friends into the chilly waters. A most for-

tunate rescue forestalled serious repercussions. What had happened?

A single rotted timber was found in the base of the hull that, with the

wave action on the beach, had led to a split in the wood. Just one bad

piece, out of all the others, was enough to overturn the boat.

How similar it can be in our lives, as well. We might be so solid, so

faithful, so firm and unwavering in so many ways, and yet with one

area in which we have not surrendered to the Lord, one sinful area we

seek to hold on to, we can find ourselves in deep moral, spiritual, and

even physical trouble.

Read

Ephesians 3:14–21. What is Paul saying to us here? How does

this bear on our personal integrity? How can we experience these

promises in our own lives?

____________________________________________________________________

So much is promised us in these texts. The Holy Spirit can strengthen

us from within; that is, He can change us, not like some cosmetic sur-

gery but more like heart surgery, something working deep within us.

And this change comes to us by faith, by knowing the reality of God’s

love for us. The Lord seeks a complete transformation in our lives; He

desires that we be “filled with all the fulness of God.” Notice, too, that

unlike many self-help and New Age philosophies, Paul is not talking

about our tapping into some innate power found within us. No, the

power that “works in us” is the power of God, who can do more than

we ask or think. The question is are we allowing Him to, or are we

letting our carnal natures rule instead?

What might it mean to be “filled with all the fulness of God”?

Be prepared to talk about your answer in class.

_____________________________________________________

We d n e s d a y

June 2

Sexual Integrity

Read

Romans 1:26, 27; 1 Corinthians 6:15–18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3;

Jude 7. What is the basic message of these texts to us today?

____________________________________________________________________

Young Megan went off to college. It was her first time away from

home for a long period of time. Though she had been taught about

sexual immorality, and though she knew what the Bible and her

church taught about it, she suddenly found herself in situations where

the pressure was very great to give in. She knew it was wrong, she

knew this was not what she wanted for her life, she knew that God had

something better for her. At first she was strong; at first she resisted.

Then, slowly but surely, she compromised, one step at a time. In the

beginning, the guilt was terrible; but over time it did not bother her as

much as before—not until she found herself with an incurable sexu-

ally transmitted disease. Then, and only then, did she start to really

ponder the reality of her mistakes.

Sexual immorality in and of itself is bad enough. It is sin, and sin

damages our relationship with God and with others. But in this day

and age, it can be a very real physical hazard. There are numerous

sexually transmitted diseases, from herpes to HIV/AIDS, that can be

physically devastating. The surest way to protect yourself from these

diseases is to follow biblical principles of sexual morality. Sexual

pleasure is for a man and a woman within marriage. Period. Anything

outside of that is outside of God’s plan and is wrong; even worse, it

can lead to some very serious physical consequences, as well. Even

some secular organizations agree that sexual abstinence outside of

marriage is the best choice a person can make.

And not just physical either. The emotional toll can be terrible,

especially for women upon whom the stigma for sexual immortality

often falls the heaviest, however unjustly.

Of particular concern today is the question of pornography, which since

the rise of the Internet is more prevalent than ever. God alone knows how

many millions of lives will be ruined through this terrible scourge. There

is help for those who get caught up in it; however, for many the shame

seems so great that they are afraid to get the help they need.

What are your temptations, struggles, frustrations, and fears in this

area of human life? Whatever your situation, how can you better

avail yourself of the promises of God to see you through them?

_____________________________________________________

Th u r s d a y

June 3

Acting on Belief

In Romans 12:1, 2, Paul implores the Christian to present himself

or herself in wholeness to the Lord in service. The integrity of body,

mind, and spirit is brought as a whole to the Lord. This requires integ-

rity in each part of the whole.

Some easily comprehend the importance of pure minds but are lax

about their physical bodies. As we have seen, this is not a biblical

position. Our bodies are gifts from God, and because of that we are

commanded by God to take care of them.

Integrity requires that our actions reflect our belief. Today, there

remains little room for debate over the broad principles of healthful

living. Medical science teaches what we have known for years now.

Exercise is important for the body. If we know this, we show a lack of

integrity if we neglect giving our bodies the exercise they need. Fresh,

clean water and moderate amounts of sunshine are so very beneficial.

Because we know these things, we are called upon to follow them.

In a time when an epidemic of obesity sweeps many nations, few

would refute the dangers of gluttony. We must make choices that only

we as individuals can make, regarding how much food we eat and

the kind we eat, especially if we are having problems with weight.

Tobacco is recognized by nearly all as being the world’s most ram-

pant killer. The use of substances ranging from alcohol and marijuana

to cocaine has gutted the productive lives of millions. The Spirit of

Prophecy no longer stands alone in advocating fresh fruits and vege-

tables, whole grains, and nuts. Even government departments of agri-

culture recommend a reduction in the consumption of many high-fat

flesh foods. In short, how much better to follow a vegetarian diet,

especially when we know how much better it is for us.

“True religion and the laws of health go hand in hand. It is impos-

sible to work for the salvation of men and women without presenting

to them the need of breaking away from sinful gratifications, which

destroy the health, debase the soul, and prevent divine truth from

impressing the mind. Men and women must be taught to take a care-

ful view of every habit and every practice and at once put away those

things that cause an unhealthy condition of the body, and thus cast a

dark shadow over the mind. God desires His light bearers ever to keep

a high standard before them. By precept and example they must hold

their perfect standard high above Satan’s false standard, which, if fol-

lowed, will lead to misery, degradation, disease, and death for both

body and soul.”—Ellen G. White, Counsels on Health, p. 480.

Review all of your personal health habits. Are you living up to

all the light you have? If not, what is keeping you from making

the kinds of changes that can do you only good?

_____________________________________________________

fr i d a y

June 4

Further Study:

“The greatest want of the world is the want of

men—men who will not be bought or sold, men who in their inmost

souls are true and honest, men who do not fear to call sin by its right

name, men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the

pole, men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.”

—Ellen G. White, Education, p. 57.

“There is work for us to do—stern, earnest work. All our habits,

tastes, and inclinations must be educated in harmony with the laws of

life and health. By this means we may secure the very best physical

conditions, and have mental clearness to discern between the evil and

the good.”—Ellen G. White, Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 28.

“Our danger is not from scarcity, but from abundance. We are con-

stantly tempted to excess. Those who would preserve their powers

unimpaired for the service of God, must observe strict temperance in

the use of His bounties, as well as total abstinence from every injuri-

ous or debasing indulgence.”—Ellen G. White, Counsels on Diet and

Foods, p. 29.

Discussion Questions:

l Look at the last Ellen G. White quote in Friday’s study. What

does she mean when she writes that our danger is from excess?

l Sunlight is an important component of good health. Here, too,

however, we need a balance: a few minutes of sunlight each day

can be a great blessing for us; on the other hand, overexposure

can lead to health problems. How do we find the right balance

here as with everything else?

l What can your local church do to help with the problem of

HIV/AIDS in your local community? Though in some parts of

the world, the problem is greater than in others, we all can do at

least a small part.

l What can you do to encourage the young people in your

church to abstain from sexual activity outside of marriage? Why

is this so important? How can the church help, not just in sexu-

ality but in other things, as well, that the young struggle with?

How can you help the young (or old, for that matter) make the

right choices when it comes to drugs, alcohol, and tobacco? It is

one thing to give them dire warnings; it is another actually to do

things to help them avoid making the wrong choice or to give

them help if they do make mistakes.

tor

i n s i d e

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Missions.

Web site:www.adventistmission.org

Treasure in the Street

by hi l a r i o ca t u K u

As I walked along the street in Luanda, the capital city of Angola, one

day, I noticed a folded paper fluttering on the ground. I picked it up and

read the title. “Three Angels’ Messages,” it said. Later at home I read the

tract. It spoke about spiritual Babylon, a term that I didn’t know.

I asked some church members what “spiritual Babylon” meant, but no

one knew. I read the tract again, and asked God to show me what lesson

He had for me from this tract.

One day I felt impressed to ask a classmate about the Ten Commandments.

As we talked, he recited the Ten Commandments. When he got to the

fourth commandment, I asked him to tell me more about it. He explained

that Jesus kept the Sabbath.

I sensed that this was what God was trying to tell me through the tract.

But I didn’t know of any church that worshiped on Saturday. Then my

classmate invited me to worship with him on Sabbath. I was curious, so I

went. I was impressed with the way the members talked about the Bible

issues. The pastor’s message touched my heart too.

After the worship service, I met the church elder, who gave me some

Bible study guides and information on the Sabbath to read during the

week. I continued worshiping with my friend on Sabbath.

Several weeks later I told my aunt, with whom I live, that I was

attending the Seventh-day Adventist church. She told me that Sabbath

is a Jewish tradition; Christians don’t keep the Sabbath. I read Hebrews

4:8–10 to her and explained that this was written after Christ died, mean-

ing that the Sabbath is still valid. She felt betrayed and urged me to give

up these false beliefs. But I felt I had found something precious.

I attended school at night, and my classes didn’t end until after sunset

on Fridays. I talked to the principal, who allowed me to take my exams

earlier on Fridays. But sometimes I still couldn’t finish before the sun set.

So I left the remaining answers blank. In spite of this, I passed. I know that

God used these experiences to lead me to a deeper faith.

Angola has more than 300,000 Adventist believers, but many more

need to hear God’s call out of “spiritual Babylon.” Your offerings help us

reach more people for Christ in Angola.

hi l a r i o ca t u K u is a teenager who lives in Luanda, Angola.

L e s s o n

*June 5–11

Optimism: Happiness and

Healing

sa b b a t h af t e r n o o n

Read for This Week’s Study:

1 Kings 19:2–18; Psalms

27; 42; Luke 8:14; 10:38–42; Rom. 8:35–39; 2 Cor. 12:9, 10; 1 Thess.

5:16, 17.

Memory Text:

“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have

hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for

his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is

your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:21–23, NIV).

wo men are in prison. The gaze of one is drawn to the shiny,

twinkling stars that bejewel the velvety firmament. As he takes

in the beauty of this scene, he is filled with optimism and hope:

there is something better beyond the bars! The other person focuses on

the muddy ground surrounding the prison cells. Nothing there encour-

ages him, and he becomes less and less optimistic. He is robbed of hope

because of the direction of his gaze.

The Scriptures portray issues that apply to us today. We are not

spared situations that lead to despair, even for faithful disciples of

the Lord. Fortunately, God’s Word has abundant encouragement and

fountains of hope and optimism.

Hope enables us to be optimistic even in troubled circumstances. This

optimism affects how we feel emotionally and also influences our physi-

cal health positively, enhancing our immunity and general well-being.

We often cannot change external circumstances, but we can change

our attitude toward them. This week we will look at this principle

from a biblical perspective.

The Week at a Glance:

Optimism and hope can have a

very positive impact on our health.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, June 12.

Su n d a y

June 6

Depression and Despair

Depression is a common affliction today. Along with the general

sadness that accompanies depression, there is the loss of enjoyment

of those things that formerly were pleasurable. Sufferers experience

tiredness, a sense of worthlessness and hopelessness, and a loss of

energy. Sleep is disturbed, and various physical symptoms—digestive

problems, headaches, and backache, among others—often result.

If not recognized and treated, depression even may lead to suicide.

This is a problem in all age groups, but, in some societies, those 24

years and younger are especially vulnerable.

There are two main kinds of depression. The first occurs in response

to unpleasant circumstances of life, such as death, illness, job loss, or

a broken relationship. Everyone experiences some of these at one

time or another. The other kind of depression is related to chemical

imbalances in the central nervous system. This often is genetic and is

as much an illness as any disease. We need to be accepting of people

with these challenges and avoid judgment and stigmatization.

Below

are biblical examples of great characters who suffered

symptoms of depression. Who were they, and what were their

symptoms?

Psalm 42

____________________________________________________________________

1 Kings 19:2–18

____________________________________________________________________

These two champions of the Old Testament suffered times when their

lives were darkened by the overwhelming shadows of despair. David

spent days and nights weeping. Elijah was suicidal, but, rather than take

his own life, he requested the Lord to perform the deed (1 Kings 19:4). In

today’s terms, he may have lamented that he was the only Adventist

upholding the standards!

In His consistently grace-filled way, God deals gently with both

David and Elijah. David is impressed that he must place his hope in

God (Ps. 42:11), and the outcome will be a praise-filled life. Having

led him in a still, small voice, God reminds Elijah of his mission and

from where his strength comes. Elijah then proceeds to call and start

the in-service training of Elisha, who was to take his mantle.

Everyone at some point struggles with depression. While that is

generally unavoidable, you still can make choices that will help

avoid potentially depressing situations. What kind of choices

are you making—and where will they likely lead?

_____________________________________________________

Mo n d a y

June 7

The Cares of This Life

Optimism and hope often are crowded out of our lives by our busy

schedules. We can become so focused on things and work, even good

and necessary activities, that we lose out on our relationship with Jesus.

This relationship is essential to our growth in all aspects of our lives.

Read

the following texts. What do they tell us about how we are to

live our lives? What are the lessons we can learn from each of

these examples?

Mic. 6:8

____________________________________________________________________

Luke 8:14

____________________________________________________________________

Luke 10:38–42

____________________________________________________________________

Luke 12:16–21

____________________________________________________________________

Success is coveted and sought after. Individuals often expend long

hours in pursuit of this goal. How often we follow after success when

our real goal should be that of significance. Is what I do, say, and

think significant, or am I like the successful farmer in the parable

who was to be called to final account and be termed a fool? (See also

Luke 21:34.)

Martha was engrossed in the essential tasks of providing food and

drink for her guests. Like us, she became so busy in the work for the

Lord that she neglected the life-giving relationship with the Lord of

the work. Jesus reminded her that Mary had chosen more wisely and

affirmed the choice of relationship significance over work success.

And sometimes, like the seed, we can be overcome with the cares

of this life in just trying to survive. This can encompass assuring the

necessities for the family, education for our children, or just keeping

up with providing the demands of living on this tumultuous planet.

Nurturing our relationship with Jesus impacts every aspect of our

lives and allows for the celebration of an optimistic and hope-filled

outlook, even in times of distress and pressure.

How much of what you are doing will be remembered in eternity?

In contrast, how much are you doing that will one day be eternally

forgotten? What does your answer tell you about yourself, how

you’re living, and, perhaps, what choices you need to make?

_____________________________________________________

Tu e s d a y

June 8

Be Joyful Always

Read

1 Thessalonians 5:16, 17. How are the two admonitions related?

Three decades ago much was written about praising God in all

circumstances, which is fine in principle. Yet, many of these writings

heaped guilt on those who were struggling to come to terms with death,

loss, tragedy, disability, and heartache, as if these people were being

unfaithful to the Lord and not living as real Christians because they

were not joyous and happy and full of praise during these crises.

We do not always rejoice in all situations. Jesus certainly did not

(Matt. 26:38, John 11:35), and who is going to accuse Him of being

unfaithful? Job, too, though faithful to the Lord, does not appear very

joyful for most of the book that bears his name. On the contrary, he is

a miserable and wailing wreck.

Yet, even amid all the pain and tragedy of life, we still can have

cause for joy and optimism, no matter how much these reasons might

feel buried beneath the woes and cares that so greatly trouble us. And

that is because, thanks to Jesus and the promises we have from Him,

we know that these things only are temporary; that these things have

not taken God by surprise; and that despite it all, and how hard and

incomprehensible our sufferings are, God loves and cares about us. It

is when we live amid suffering that we cling to these promises, that

we cling to the hope before us, that we can find reason for joy and

optimism, even among the worst situations.

What

hope and optimism can you draw from these promises?

Rom. 8:31

____________________________________________________________________

Rom. 8:35–39

____________________________________________________________________

1 John 3:1

____________________________________________________________________

Rev. 21:4

____________________________________________________________________

What other Bible promises can you cling to, to give you reasons to

be optimistic and hopeful, even amid trying circumstances? How

have these texts helped you work through difficult situations?

_______________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

We d n e s d a y

June 9

Laughter and Healing

Read

2 Corinthians 12:9, 10. What is Paul saying here, and how can

we apply this principle in our own lives, especially in times of

distress?

____________________________________________________________________

Norman Cousins, the author of a book called Anatomy of An Illness,

was the editor of a popular magazine in the United States for about

thirty years. In 1964 he was struck down by a disease that affected

his collagen, the body’s connective tissue. He suffered great pain.

He had a hard time moving his fingers, his limbs, even his jaw. He

found it hard to turn over in bed. Meanwhile, lumps started forming

all over his body, as well. Once the diagnosis was made, the doctors

prescribed all sorts of painkillers and sedatives, things like aspirin

and codeine, and other drugs, including many different sleeping pills.

At one point, his body started to have a reaction to the drugs, and he

broke out in hives that were even more painful than the disease itself.

Things were looking bad for Norman, especially because only one in

about five hundred patients ever recovers from this disease.

Finally, fed up with all these medications and their bad side effects,

he started to watch a popular TV show called Candid Camera. In

bed he would laugh and laugh at the antics. Almost immediately he

noticed a change. The more he laughed, the better he felt. The nurse

would sometimes read him humorous stories that would make him

howl with glee. Over time, the tests showed that he was getting better.

Before long, the lumps on his body began to shrink, and he returned

to his job. Soon after, the man who had found it hard to turn over in

bed was playing tennis, playing golf, riding horses, and playing the

piano!

Though no one is saying that laughter is the solution to all our

medical problems, there is no question that a good attitude can have a

positive impact on our health.

So often attitude is something that you can control if you really

want to, is it not? What is your general attitude? How can you

learn to be more optimistic? How should focusing on the Cross

and what it reveals about God help you have a more positive

outlook on life?

_____________________________________________________

Th u r s d a y

June 10

A Merry Heart—Practical Optimism!

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit

drieth the bones” (Prov. 17:22).

Yes, there are physical benefits to laughter and joyful thinking.

Laughter exercises the lungs and stimulates the circulatory system.

As a result, increased oxygen enters the blood. Laughter acts as a

relaxant, and in the long term it can be associated with mild decreases

in blood pressure. Laughter increases the production of the chemical

endorphins that soothe and relax the mind, relieve pain, elevate the

mood, and increase immune cell activity. This optimism and merry

heart will be entirely appropriate, because they are founded on the

knowledge that God is in control of our lives.

We know that it is not possible or feasible to be happy and to laugh

continuously. We can, however, seek to have a positive attitude.

Read

Isaiah 26:1–4. How can you apply this passage practically in

your life?

____________________________________________________________________

When our minds are steadfast and we trust in Him, we reap definite

benefits. Studies have shown that viewing others in a positive and benevo-

lent way can beneficially impact our resistance to infection (as well as

make us pleasant to be around!). As we cultivate and nurture our relation-

ship with Christ, our physical health is benefited, and we can find the kind

of emotional and spiritual healing that can aid physical healing, too.

We are faced with a choice in Proverbs 17:22: a merry heart does

good; a broken spirit has negative effects on our total being. David

learned the importance of this choice and reminded himself of God’s

preserving role in this ongoing struggle.

Read

Psalm 27. What hope is presented here? How can we apply

these words to ourselves?

____________________________________________________________________

There is ample evidence that a vibrant relationship with God

impacts our total well-being. What changes do you need to

make in order to have a better relationship with the Lord?

fr i d a y

June 11

Further Study:

Read Ellen G. White, “Mind Cure,” pp. 241–259,

in The Ministry of Healing.

“Nothing tends more to promote health of body and of soul than does

a spirit of gratitude and praise. It is a positive duty to resist melancholy,

discontented thoughts and feelings—as much a duty as it is to pray. If we

are heaven-bound, how can we go as a band of mourners, groaning and

complaining all along the way to our Father’s house?”—Ellen G. White,

The Ministry of Healing, p. 251.

“Without the cross, man could have no union with the Father. On it

depends our every hope. From it shines the light of the Saviour’s love; and

when at the foot of the cross the sinner looks up to the One who died to save

him, he may rejoice with fulness of joy; for his sins are pardoned. Kneeling

in faith at the cross, he has reached the highest place to which man can

attain.”—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 209, 210.

“In this hope of a sure inheritance in the earth made new, the early

Christians rejoiced, even in times of severe trial and affliction. “ ‘Ye greatly

rejoice,’ ” Peter wrote, “ ‘though now for a season, if need be, ye are in

heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being

much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire,

might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus

Christ: whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him

not, . . . ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end

of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”—Ellen G. White, The Acts

of the Apostles, pp. 517, 518.

Discussion Questions:

l Do you know someone who is suffering from depression? If so,

what can you do to help? So often a kind word or even a friendly

gesture can go a long way in making someone feel better. What can

your class or the church do to help those with depression?

l Proverbs 3:7, 8 reads, “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the

Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and mar-

row to thy bones.” How does this fit in with the lesson this week?

l Next time you are feeling down, make a concentrated effort

to dwell on positive things. Think about God’s love. Read some

Bible texts that you especially like. Praise the Lord in song and in

prayer. You might be surprised at how much better you feel.

l Though the emphasis this week has been on our feelings and

the importance of feeling good, we must remember that faith is not

feeling. In other words, just because we are feeling down, depressed,

or discouraged does not mean we have lost our connection with

God. What is the difference between faith and feeling, and why is it

important to know that difference?

tor

i n s i d e

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Missions.

Web site:www.adventistmission.org

Lead Me to Truth

by Fo l o r u m s o al a w o d e aJ i b a d e

I grew up in a church and knew well its doctrines. But I felt that some

things my church taught were wrong. I read the Ten Commandments, and

I knew that they prohibited worshiping idols. But when I asked the priest

why we prayed before statues, he said that the images were like pictures

of family members in our home. Still, it didn’t seem right.

Finally I asked God to lead me to His truth. And God answered my

prayer. One day as I sat in my home, I had what must have been a vision,

in which I saw a banner with the words, “Seventh-day Adventist Church.”

I had seen a few Adventist churches in my life, but I knew nothing about

what the church teaches and had never worshiped in one.

The next day, Sabbath, a Voice told me, “Go, and worship today.”

Another voice countered, “Don’t go today; go next week.” I dared not

tarry. I prepared and went to the nearest Adventist church.

When I arrived, someone took my name and welcomed me as a visitor.

I told them, “I am not a visitor. I will become part of this church from

today.” I found the people having a Bible study. Later I learned that this

was Sabbath School.

I met the pastor and told him of my vision, and he came to my house

several times a week to study the Bible with me. Others came to visit as

well. I was glad for this.

When members of my former church asked me why I wasn’t coming

to church, I told them that God has sent me to the Adventist Church, and

there I have found salvation.

I was baptized a few months later. I am so happy to have found the truth

in Jesus. I’m only sorry that I hadn’t prayed years ago that God would

show me these truths. I will devote the rest of my life to sharing the gos-

pel with everyone I meet. Leading people to

Christ has become my life.

Thank you for your mission offerings,

which helped bring the light of truth to this

soul who was in darkness.

Fo l o r u m s o al a w o d e aJ i b a d e (left) lives in western

Nigeria.

L e s s o n

*June 12–18

Nutrition in the Bible

sa b b a t h af t e r n o o n

Read for This Week’s Study:

Gen. 1:26–30; 7:1, 2; 8:20;

Leviticus 11; Deuteronomy 14; Prov. 23:19–21; Acts 10:1–28; Rom.

14:17; 1 Tim. 4:1–5.

Memory Text:

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do,

do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31, NIV).

writer argued against belief in God, in the supernatural, or in

any spiritual realities at all. He believed only in the material

world, only in material things.

“Man is,” he said, “what he eats. Period.”

However extreme his position, he does have a point, at least some-

what. Though we certainly are more than what we eat, what we eat

helps make us what we are. Our blood, bones, fat, and tissues all are

fed by the food we put in our bodies. We know that if we stopped eat-

ing, we would die. We know, too, that our food impacts our physical

being in many ways. Anyone who has ever eaten too much, or eaten

the wrong things and become sick, knows how much food impacts

us physically—and mentally, as well. Indeed, diet can impact our

thoughts, which should not be surprising, because our brain is central

to thought, and our brain is affected by the foods that feed it.

This week we will take a look at diet, this very important compo-

nent of a healthy lifestyle.

The Week at a Glance:

A good diet is a very important factor

in living a healthy lifestyle.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, June 19.

Su n d a y

June 13

The Original Diet

Read

Genesis 1:26–30. What does it tell us about the original diet?

What might it mean that both humans and the animals had a simi-

lar diet?

____________________________________________________________________

God planted a garden full of fruits and nuts for the nourishment of

our first parents. We only can speculate how different this produce

may have been from what is available to us today, and we assume

there was a wide variety of colorful, tasty treats, a great variety of

fruits and nuts in the large cornucopia provided by God. We can

imagine the tree of life, planted near the beautiful river, bearing 12

crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. The leaves were for heal-

ing of all peoples and for the prevention of all diseases and sickness.

This is how the apostle John describes the tree in Revelation 22:2, 3;

this description of life in Eden is so brief, and we are left with many

unanswered questions, but we do know Adam and Eve enjoyed food

from one tree in the Garden that is no longer available to us.

Scientific research has confirmed that a vegetarian diet is healthier

than a diet high in meat full of saturated fat. The Adventist Health

Study, conducted by Loma Linda University, compared Seventh-day

Adventist church members in the United States who share similar

demographics and lifestyles except for two different categories of

diet. When those who eat a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet (plant food

plus eggs and milk) were compared to omnivores who included red

and white meats in their diet, the vegetarians had less heart disease,

less types of cancers, less hypertension, less diabetes, less dementia,

and less osteoporosis—leading to an increased life expectancy. The

Adventist vegetarians enjoyed eight to ten additional healthy years

of life by eating more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and

nuts. They also ate less refined grain products, sugar, and prepared

foods. Other studies conducted in Europe, Australia, and South

America confirm these findings, and more than four hundred reports

on the health of Seventh-day Adventists have now been published in

scientific journals.

Some people tend to make diet the central focus of their reli-

gion, the idea being the stricter the diet, the holier the person.

At the same time, why is it important that we watch our diet

and seek to eat as healthfully as we can?

Mo n d a y

June 14

The Post-Flood Diet

As Christians we should not forget the fact that the first sin of

humanity dealt with appetite. Adam and Eve were told not to eat of a

certain tree (Gen. 2:16, 17), and they ate of it anyway (Gen. 3:6). This

was sin, pure and simple. Hence, however much we must be careful

not to make an idol out of diet, we must not diminish its importance.

In the midst of so many voices, we need to seek wisdom in order to

find the right balance in how we should eat and drink.

Read

Genesis 9:3, 4 and compare it with Genesis 1:26–30. What

change came to the human diet because of the Flood? Why do

you think this happened? How does this change reflect an even

greater disharmony brought to the earth because of sin?

____________________________________________________________________

Only after the Flood, with so much vegetation destroyed, did God

give humans permission to eat animals. What a major shift in the

whole balance of relationship between man and beast. We are so used

to it today that we surely do not realize what an incredible change this

must have been.

Read

Genesis 7:1, 2; 8:20. How do these verses dispel the idea that

the distinction between clean and unclean meats began with the

Jewish nation?

____________________________________________________________________

These verses prove that the difference between clean and unclean

meats did not originate with the Jewish economy. How could it have,

when there were no Jews or Jewish nation at this time? No question,

when God called the Jews out and made them a separate people under

the covenant with Him, He gave them a detailed revelation of the distinc-

tion regarding clean and unclean meat. Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy

14 provide very extensive expositions on this topic. Though a certain

amount of debate exists in the theological and even the medical world

regarding the reasons for the distinction, the health component seems

one of the most obvious reasons. Many of the animals deemed unclean

do not exactly constitute the most healthful things a person can put in

his or her body (such as rats, pigs, snakes, and vultures), do they? If,

as we believe, God wants us to take care of our bodies, it would make

sense that He would show us what things are not good for us to eat.

Tu e s d a y

June 15

Food in the New Testament

As we saw yesterday, the distinction between clean and unclean

foods did not start with the Jewish nation. Nevertheless, many today

assert that in New Testament times, the Bible obliterated this distinc-

tion, and it does not matter now what people eat.

Yet, that really does not make a whole lot of sense, if you think

about it. Diet, after all, plays such an important role in our health;

thus, it is very hard to imagine why the New Testament would show

no concern about diet, which is so crucial to healthful living.

Read

1 Timothy 4:1–5. What is Paul saying? Does this mean that we

can now eat unclean meat?

In this particular case, Paul was dealing with future heresies that

would forbid believers to partake of two things that God gave human-

ity at creation, food and marriage. The foods involved are all foods

that God had created for human consumption. Paul’s words here

should not be taken to mean that unclean foods were “created to be

received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the

truth” (1 Tim. 4:3, NIV). Otherwise, what? A rat should be “eaten with

thanksgiving”?

In his letters to the Romans and the Corinthians (Romans 14, 1 Cor.

8:4–13, 10:25–28), Paul addressed the implication for Christians of

the widespread practice in the Gentile world of offering flesh food to

idols. Early Christians struggled with the question of whether the eat-

ing of such food was an act of pagan worship. Those strong in their

faith did not believe it was, and thus they could eat all edible things

offered to idols. Those who did not have such a strong faith used only

vegetables, which were not offered to idols. Paul urged that no one

should despise those who eat only vegetables or judge those who “eat

all things” suitable for food.

What’s

wrong with using Acts 10 as proof that the New Testament

has done away with the clean/unclean distinction in regard to

human diet? See Acts 10:28.

____________________________________________________________________

Where are you in the whole question of diet? What improve-

ments do you know that you should make in what you eat, in

how you eat it, or even in the amount you eat?

_____________________________________________________

100

We d n e s d a y

June 16

A Balanced Diet

“Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the

way. Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:

For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and

drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags” (Prov. 23:19–21). What

important health principle do we find in these verses? How can

we learn to apply this principle to ourselves, in the area of health

and temperance?

____________________________________________________________________

“In order to know what are the best foods, we must study God’s origi-

nal plan for man’s diet. . . . Grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables . . . pre-

pared in as simple and natural a manner as possible are the most healthful

and nourishing. They impart a strength, a power of endurance, and a

vigor of intellect that are not afforded by a more complex and stimulating

diet.”—Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, pp. 295, 296.

Just because someone is a vegetarian does not automatically mean

that he or she is eating a healthy diet; at the same time, just because

someone eats some meat does not automatically mean he or she is

defiling their body temple. Other factors for a good diet are important,

as well.

You could be a vegetarian and yet at the same time be consuming

too much fat, too much salt, or too much sugar, all of which can lead

to a variety of serious health issues, things like diabetes, heart attacks,

stroke, and cancer.

Or you simply could be consuming too much food in general. You

can be on the strictest total vegetarian diet possible, and yet, because

you eat too much, you could become overweight with some very

negative health consequences.

In diet, as with all things, temperance is important. Too much of

even good food can be detrimental to your health. In general, the idea

is to eat a wide variety of healthy food, certainly enough to meet all

your nutritional needs, while at the same time not overeating and tax-

ing the system. As with everything in health, balance is the key.

Our church does not make vegetarianism a test of fellowship.

And it should not either. Many faithful Adventists choose not

to be vegetarians. What, though, are the advantages of being

a vegetarian, if you are in a position to get enough of the right

foods for a proper diet?

_____________________________________________________

101

Th u r s d a y

June 17

Diet Today

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness,

and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Rom. 14:17). How are we to

understand this text in the context of the whole question of diet and

health? What are some of the extremes that we need to avoid?

____________________________________________________________________

As Seventh-day Adventists, we should be very thankful for the

counsels we have been given on health. The best medical science

affirms the basic principles of the kind of diet we advocate. In Ellen

G. White’s last address to the General Conference in 1909, she coun-

seled, “We do not mark out any precise line to be followed in diet; but

we do say that in countries where there are fruits, grains, and nuts in

abundance, flesh food is not the right food for God’s people.”—Ellen

G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 159. In other words,

if we are in a position to eat this way, we should seek to do it. It

does not make us righteous, it does not make us holy, and it certainly

does not put us in a position to judge those who do not eat the way

we think is best. It can, though, make us healthier, and who does not

want good health?

Today, nutritionists often display what is called a food pyramid, a dia-

gram that shows what the best foods are and the amounts that should be

consumed. At the base of the pyramid are the whole grains: breads, pasta,

and brown rice. These should be eaten in the largest quantities, about six

to eleven servings per day. The next level includes fruits and vegetables,

recommending about five to nine servings per day. Next are dairy prod-

ucts and eggs, about two to three servings a day. These can be important

for vegetarians, in order to make sure that we get enough vitamin B

in our diet. Total vegetarians should take vitamin B

supplements. The

next group, almost at the top (which means these should be eaten in even

smaller amounts), includes legumes, nuts, seeds, and meat alternatives for

vegetarians. A nonvegetarian diet would include fish, fowl, and meat, but

only in moderate quantities. Finally, at the top, which means one should

consume the smallest amounts, are fats, oils, sweets, and iodized salt.

Our health is a precious gift. Diet plays an important role in health.

How wise, then, for us to seek to do the best we can in what we eat.

How important for us to exercise self-discipline and self-control when

tempted to eat what we know is not good for us. God gave these truths

to us for our benefit. When we ignore them, we hurt ourselves and, as

so often is the case, others are made to suffer, as well.

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fr i d a y

June 18

Further Study:

Read Ellen G. White, Counsels on Diet and Foods.

From the Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual, we read: “Christian

behavior . . . means that because our bodies are the temples of the

Holy Spirit, we are to care for them intelligently. Along with adequate

exercise and rest, we are to adopt the most healthful diet possible and

abstain from the unclean foods identified in the Scriptures.”

Twenty-second fundamental belief: “The original diet. The Bible

does not condemn the eating of clean animals. But God’s original diet

for man did not include flesh foods because He did not envision the

taking of any animal’s life and because a balanced vegetarian diet is the

best for health—a fact for which science offers mounting evidence.

“The diet God ordained in the Garden of Eden—the vegetarian

diet—is the ideal, but sometimes we cannot have the ideal. In those

circumstances, in any given situation or locale, those who wish to

stay in optimum health will eat the best food that they can obtain.”

—Seventh-day Adventists Believe . . . 2nd ed. (Nampa, Idaho: Pacific

Press

Publishing Association, 2005), p. 318.

The General Conference Nutrition Council, in their Position

Statement of 2006, titled Vegetarian Dietary Guidelines, states, “We

recommend the generous use of whole grains, vegetables, and fruits;

a moderate use of low-fat dairy products (or nutritional equivalent

alternatives); legumes, nuts, and seeds; a very limited use of foods

high in saturated fat, cholesterol, sugar, and salt.”

Discussion Questions:

l What are some of the dietary challenges that you face in the

area where you live? Is there an abundance of food that can lead

to eating not only the wrong foods but also to overeating? Or is

there a struggle to get enough of the right foods? What can you

as a class do to help those who could be struggling either way?

l What are the extremes in diet that we need to avoid?

l How should our understanding of the nature of humanity

impact our understanding of how important our physical bodies

are? In other words, because we do not believe that the soul is

immortal and can exist independently of the body, should not we

then have even more reason to take care regarding how we treat

our bodies? Explain.

l Many new Seventh-day Adventists do not know a thing about

a healthy diet. How can we help them learn about this important

topic in a balanced way that doesn’t push them into extremism

or turn them off?

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103

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Missions.

Web site:www.adventistmission.org

The Little School That Could

by sa r a h Ki d e n

Like most church schools, the primary school in Yei, a city in southern

Sudan, was established with more faith than financing. Three teachers were

appointed, and they set up their classrooms in the church sanctuary until the

members could build a school. In Sudan, as in many developing countries,

most teachers are high school graduates with no specific teacher training.

When the school grew to 200 students, church members could wait no

longer. They built a four-classroom school constructed of poles plastered

with mud and covered by a thatched roof.

The school continues to grow and has become an important part of

religious outreach in the city of Yei. Church members produce a radio

program for the local Christian radio station, and children from the school

have become an important part of the programming. They take turns recit-

ing Bible verses and singing songs on the live radio programs. This radio

program has helped boost the church’s outreach into the community and

has increased the school’s enrollment, as well.

People in the community often ask how the children can learn so many

Bible verses and so many songs. And some ask how their children can be

a part of the Yei Seventh-day Adventist Primary School.

Enrollment continues to increase, and today more than seven hundred students

study there. The school has added more classrooms and teachers to accommo-

date the increased enrollment. And more children want to study there.

Emerging from a civil war that spanned several decades and destroyed

most public buildings, Sudan struggles to provide an education for its

children. The few schools that exist can’t accommodate the thousands

who want to learn to read and write. Churches have stepped into the gap

and provide the bulk of education in southern Sudan.

Textbooks are another challenge. Relief

agencies have provided a few textbooks for

teachers in schools, but the children have

none. They must write down everything that

they need to learn. It is slow progress, but it

is the only way for now.

Your mission offerings support education

in Sudan and around the world. Thank you

for your support and your prayers.

sa r a h Ki d e n teaches at Yei Seventh-day Adventist

Primary School in southern Sudan.

104

L e s s o n

*June 19–25

Social Support: The Tie

That Binds

sa b b a t h af t e r n o o n

Read for This Week’s Study:

Gen. 1:27, John 1:1–3,

Rom. 14:7, 1 Cor. 12:14–26, 1 Corinthians 13, Gal. 6:2, Eph. 4:1–16.

Memory Text:

“ ‘A new command I give you: Love one another.

As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men

will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another’ ” (John

13:34, 35, NIV).

t is very clear that being unloved, lonely, and isolated increases the

likelihood of various risky behaviors. Disease and premature death

from all causes rises by 200 to 500 percent or more in such individu-

als. Saddest of all, isolation deprives us of the joy of everyday life, the

joy that comes from satisfying and fulfilling relationships. One study

was conducted on 170 military wives receiving prenatal care at a military

hospital. The research showed that women without emotional and psy-

chological support had three times as many complications as those with

adequate support.

Anything that promotes a sense of isolation may lead to illness and

suffering. That which promotes love and intimacy, connection, and com-

munity is healing and brings health. And no wonder, because, as humans,

we were meant to live in community and fellowship with one another.

With these ideas in mind, we come to the final week in our study

about health and temperance, and our topic deals with the important

question of interpersonal relationships and how these can impact our

physical well-being.

The Week at a Glance:

Loving one another is the distin-

guishing characteristic of the disciples of Christ. Love blesses not

only the recipient but the giver, as well.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, June 26.

105

Su n d a y

June 20

The Original Image

As human beings, we are so immersed in sin that we often can forget

just how bad it is, just how much it has affected us. It is not easy to real-

ize how far we have fallen, because we have been down for so long.

Read

Genesis 1:27. How does the fact that Jesus Himself is God help

us understand better what it means to have been made in the

image of God? How does knowing about Jesus help us understand

the kind of characters our first parents had at the Creation?

____________________________________________________________________

The Bible is clear: we were made in the image of God. It is clear,

too, that Jesus is God (see John 1:1–3). Thus, in the beginning,

humans reflected somewhat the moral character of Jesus. The Jesus

who loved us so much that He stooped down and took on our human-

ity in order to save us—that is what humans were originally like. The

Jesus who was willing to minister to others by washing the feet of His

betrayer—that is what humans were somewhat like. The Jesus who,

even while dying on the cross, took time to comfort the dying thief—

that is what humans were like. The Jesus who cried out, “Father,

forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34)—that is

what humans were to some degree like before sin entered.

The unselfish love and concern for others that marked Jesus’ life

also must have been reflected to some degree in Adam and Eve before

the Fall, who were from creation made “in the image of God.”

Hence, the idea of being like Jesus means being remade into the image

in which we were originally created. And it is obvious from looking at

Jesus, from seeing how He lived and how He treated people and how He

loved even His enemies, that at the heart of Christ’s character was unself-

ish love for others. As humans, then, we originally were made to love and

care unselfishly for those who were around us. That is certainly part of

what it means to have been made in the image of God.

We were made, therefore, to love and to be loved, and this we can-

not do in a vacuum. We need people to love, just as people need to be

loved. This is what community and family are all about.

Dwell more on this idea about what it means to have been made

in the image of God and that Jesus is God. How does this fact

help us understand just how fallen we are and how much we

need a Savior? More so, how should this help us understand

why we need to treat people better than we often do?

106

Mo n d a y

June 21

People: Social Beings

People are social beings. Not long after Adam was created, God

provided a companion for him. He said, “ ‘It is not good for the man

to be alone’ ” (Genesis 2:18, NIV). We need one another.

Hence, a crucial point regarding this reality must be understood.

Read

Romans 14:7. What important principle is found in this text?

How have you experienced the powerful reality of this truth?

________________________________________________________

In life or death, we impact others, especially those in our family.

The responsible caring for our own health brings blessings not only to

ourselves but to those with whom we share our lives.

What

do the following texts tell us about how social relationships

were meant as a blessing for us? Gen. 2:18, Eccles. 4:9–12, 1 Cor.

12:14–26, Gal. 6:2.

________________________________________________________

Because good relationships positively influence both our own and

others’ lives, we should learn to give and receive graciously. It is

incorrect to say, “It’s my body, and it’s nobody’s business but mine.”

Society pays, directly or indirectly, for every person’s poor health

choices. Human life, a precious creation of God, is of utmost worth

and is deserving of preservation. In many places the value of life is not

appreciated; for the Christian, every person is valuable. It is important

to invest not only in your own health but also in the health of others.

A doctor studied the importance of social ties and social support in

relationship to disease and mortality rates. The close social, cultural,

and traditional ties of the Japanese culture made for exemplary health

outcomes. The better the social ties, the better the health. He further

indicated that social isolation results in poorer health and higher mor-

tality rates. Meaningful social relationships positively influence physi-

cal, mental, and emotional behaviors.

In what ways have you benefited from a social network? How

can you help others in the same way you have benefited? Do you

tend to take more from the network, or give more? What does

your answer say about you?

107

Tu e s d a y

June 22

Unity in Redemption

All humanity is related through our common ancestry (Acts 17:26).

We’re related, too, through the love that God has for all of us.

Everyone may be redeemed by Christ’s precious blood, because God

wants no one to be lost (2 Pet. 3:9).

The Bible is clear that through redemption in Jesus, all barriers

between us should be brought down, because we are the same before

the Lord: sinners in need of God’s grace.

How

does Paul describe the people who have been redeemed by the

blood of Jesus? Eph. 4:1–16. What does this mean in terms of how

we should relate to one another?

____________________________________________________________________

No one hates his or her own body (Eph. 5:29, 30). All parts of the

body interact to function effectively. If one part of the body suffers,

all functions are affected. The closer we are to others, the more readily

and powerfully we feel the impact of their problems.

When we interact socially and helpfully with others, it improves

health. Two hundred seventy-six healthy volunteers were exposed

to the common cold virus. The effect of a variety of interpersonal

relationships was explored. Those reporting the fewest types of rela-

tionships had more than four times the risk of developing a cold than

those reporting greater numbers of relationships. These differences

were not explicable by factors such as immunity, smoking, exercise,

amount of sleep, alcohol intake, and so forth. It was shown that the

diversity of relationships was more important than the total number

of people with whom the individuals interacted. Mutually supportive,

diverse relationships increased resistance to infection, at least accord-

ing to this study.

All this points to what we have been talking about all this quarter:

our emotional, mental, and spiritual health can have a powerful impact

on our physical health. Central to our emotional and spiritual health

are the kinds of interpersonal relationships we share with others.

Sure, there are times when most everyone wants to be alone, but

that is not the same as being part of a larger community that can act

as a support group, especially in times of need.

How can you better involve yourself in the life of your church

community? How much death to self will it take to be more

involved? What gifts do you have that can benefit others?

108

We d n e s d a y

June 23

Support One Another

Recognizing the outstanding benefits of service one to another,

we can understand why Mrs. White made this statement in Medical

Ministry: “Christian kindness and earnest consecration are constantly

to be manifest in the life.”—Page 204. A person can have all the

theological knowledge in the world, but if the person is not kind, lov-

ing, and caring about others, what good does this knowledge do? This

seems to be very much the theme of Paul in 1 Corinthians 13. It would

do us all some good to read that chapter over often, even daily and

then ask ourselves how well we are following what Paul says there.

What

do the following verses teach us about how we are to relate to

one another?

John 13:35

____________________________________________________________________

Rom. 15:7

____________________________________________________________________

Eph. 4:32

____________________________________________________________________

Col. 3:13

____________________________________________________________________

1 Thess. 4:18

____________________________________________________________________

James 5:16

____________________________________________________________________

1 Pet. 3:8

____________________________________________________________________

1 Pet. 4:9

____________________________________________________________________

1 John 1:7

____________________________________________________________________

An outstanding virtue of the Christian is to follow the example of

Jesus in loving people despite their weaknesses. Jesus loved His disciples

regardless of their many shortcomings and failures. He was caring and

inclusive, even when he was rejected and betrayed. We are called to do

the same. This can happen only as Christ works in our lives, and He can

do that only to the extent that we surrender and allow Him to. As we

grasp just how much grace and mercy have been extended to us by God,

we can start doing the same to others. Loving the loving and the kind is

relatively easy; most anyone can do that. It is when we are called to love

the unloving, the ones who are hard to get along with, the ones who treat

us nastily and unfairly—then it takes the grace of God working in us.

How well do you love those who are not so easy to love? How

can you learn to do better in that area? How would Jesus treat

that person? Go and do likewise.

_____________________________________________________

109

Th u r s d a y

June 24

Serve One Another

The life of Jesus on earth was a life of service. From the earliest days

of His ministry right up until the end, He was serving humanity. In fact,

according to the Bible, He still is serving us today (Heb. 2:17, 18).

each have been created with specific spiritual gifts for service.

What are the various spiritual gifts and services found in the fol-

lowing verses?

Rom. 12:4–8

____________________________________________________________________

1 Cor. 12:1–5

____________________________________________________________________

Eph. 4:8–11

____________________________________________________________________

As we have seen, as human beings, we were made to love others,

as Jesus loved. And when we do this, we do not simply benefit others.

We benefit ourselves, as well.

Think for a moment how good you feel when you reach out and

help others, when you selflessly give of yourself with no intention of

getting anything back for yourself. Something inside us is touched.

There is a sense of well-being; we get a satisfaction that, really, noth-

ing else can match. And that is because, by giving of ourselves, we are

living as we were meant to live. We are doing what we were originally

created to do.

As we have seen, a positive mental outlook on life can have a posi-

tive impact on us physically, as well. Our body reacts better when we

feel positive, happy, and fulfilled. No wonder, then, that scientific

studies have shown positive medical benefits that arise from doing

good for others. It makes perfect sense: by helping others, we feel

better, and when we feel better, our physical being is improved. What

a perfect combination!

“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your

freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another

in love” (Gal. 5:13, NIV). What does it mean to serve one

another in love? How can you take these words and apply them

in a practical way in your own life right now? Think of someone

whom you can “serve in love” and do it, even if it takes self-

denial on your part. After all, there is no question—someone

out there needs you.

_____________________________________________________

110

fr i d a y

June 25

Further Study:

Read Ellen G. White, “The Creation,” pp. 44–51,

in Patriarchs and Prophets; “Social Purity,” pp. 567–671, in Counsels

on Health; “Saved to Serve,” pp. 95–107, in The Ministry of Healing;

“Development and Service,” pp. 497–502, in The Ministry of Healing.

“Many feel that it would be a great privilege to visit the scenes of

Christ’s life on earth, to walk where He trod, to look upon the lake

beside which He loved to teach, and the hills and valleys on which His

eyes so often rested. But we need not go to Nazareth, to Capernaum,

or to Bethany, in order to walk in the steps of Jesus. We shall find His

footprints beside the sickbed, in the hovels of poverty, in the crowded

alleys of the great cities, and in every place where there are human

hearts in need of consolation.

“We are to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and comfort the

suffering and afflicted. We are to minister to the despairing, and to

inspire hope in the hopeless.

“The love of Christ, manifested in unselfish ministry, will be more

effective in reforming the evildoer than will the sword or the court of

justice. These are necessary to strike terror to the lawbreaker, but the

loving missionary can do more than this. Often the heart that hardens

under reproof will melt under the love of Christ.”—Ellen G. White,

The Ministry of Healing, pp. 105, 106.

Discussion Questions:

l Dwell more on the idea that, as beings made in the image of

God, our first parents were somewhat like Christ, even though

they still had a lot to learn. How does this help us understand our

need for a Savior? (After all, we can compare ourselves to Jesus

and see just how far we have fallen.)

l Consider your church situation and discuss with your Sabbath

School class whether the quality of fellowship could be improved.

What can you do to improve the level of fellowship within your

church? What could your class do to strengthen relationships

within your church body? How well does your church deal with

those who have special needs, such as shut-ins?

l In class talk about the benefits and happiness that come from

serving others. Why do we get so much satisfaction from serving

others? What things hold us back from doing this more often?

How can we, through the power of Christ, fight against the

inherent selfishness in us that keeps us focused on ourselves and

our own needs rather than on the needs of others? What is your

own experience with selfishness? That is, how have you seen in

your own life just how ultimately unsatisfactory and empty exis-

tence can be when lived selfishly?

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i n s i d e

111

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Missions.

Web site:www.adventistmission.org

Planting Seeds

by hu b e r t Xa v i e r

My friends and I were relaxing after lunch one day in Grenada, an

island in the Caribbean, when a man walked up to us. He pointed his

finger at me and said, “The Lord has something for you to do.” Then he

turned and walked into the busy marketplace.

We stood there trying to figure out what had just happened. We searched

for the man, but he had disappeared. My friends laughed the incident off,

but I thought about it a lot. I went to church, but I wasn’t close to God.

Then one day a woman came into the store where I worked and asked

me, “Son, have you given your life to Christ yet?” I had never seen her

before, and her comment surprised me. “Lady, I’m preparing to do so,”

I told her, surprised. She walked away, and when I searched for her a

moment later, she had gone. No one else had seen her. Could God be try-

ing to tell me something? I wondered.

I told a friend about these incidents, and he invited me to the Seventh-

day Adventist church’s Sunday evening Bible study service with him. I

went and enjoyed it, so I continued attending. He invited me to attend

worship on Sabbath morning, but I had to work. Finally I got up the cour-

age to ask my boss for Saturday morning off so I could go to church.

My friend and I studied the Bible together; and after attending evange-

listic meetings, I became convinced that I had found God’s true church. I

decided to become an Adventist. But my boss refused to give me Sabbaths

off. My relatives urged me to just go to church on Sunday, but I knew

what I had to do. I quit.

I found temporary work and threw my energies into working for God,

but that didn’t feed me. One day there was no food in my house. I knelt

and told God that I was hungry and begged for some food. A knock at the

door interrupted my prayer. It was a church elder. “I was passing by and

felt impressed to stop and see how you are doing,” he said. He gave me

ten dollars and smiled. And so God provided.

Eventually I found work with a company where I don’t have Sabbath

problems. As I wait on customers, I tell them what God is doing in my life

and invite them to try Jesus too. I’m planting seeds in their hearts and pray

that God will make those seeds grow, just as He did in my life.

hu b e r t Xa v i e r lives in Grenada, an island in the Caribbean.

2010

112

Bible Study Guide for the Third Quarter

Next quarter’s Bible study guide will seek to uncover the great

truth of salvation by faith alone as revealed in the book of Romans.

The great truths that Paul sought to clarify to readers in his day are

not restricted to his first intended audience. His words have rever-

berated across the centuries, teaching millions the wonderful news

of the gospel and its foundational doctrine of justification by faith.

This will be the focus of study for this quarter in our guide titled

Redemption in Romans, written by the late Don Neufeld.

Lesson 1

—Paul and Rome

The Week at a Glance:

su n d a y : Date and Place (Rom. 16:1, 2)

mo n d a y : Personal Touch (Rom. 15:20–27)

tu e s d a y : Paul Reaches Rome (Acts 28:16)

we d n e s d a y : Called to Be Saints (Rom. 1:7)

th u r s d a y : World Reputation (Rom. 1:8)

Memory Text—

Romans 1:8

Sabbath Gem:

While it is important to understand the context

in which Paul wrote the book of Romans, it still contains a power-

ful message for God’s church today.

Lesson 2

—Jew and Gentile

The Week at a Glance:

su n d a y : Better Promises (Heb. 8:6)

mo n d a y : Jewish Laws and Regulations (Leviticus 12, 16, 23)

tu e s d a y : “What Must I Do to be Saved?” (Acts 15:1–12)

we d n e s d a y : “No Greater Burden” (Acts 15:5–29)

th u r s d a y : The Galatian Heresy (Gal. 1:1–12)

Memory Text—

John 1:17

Sabbath Gem:

Obedience to God’s moral law is as much a part

of the New Covenant as it is of the Old Covenant.

Lessons for the Visually Impaired

The regular Adult Sabbath School

Bible Study Guide is available free each month in braille and on audiocassette to

sight-impaired and physically handicapped persons who cannot read normal ink

print. This includes individuals who, because of arthritis, multiple sclerosis, paralysis,

accident, and so forth, cannot hold or focus on normal ink-print publications. Contact

Christian Record Services, Box 6097, Lincoln, NE 68506-0097.